[Putin Calls for Consideration of Restricting Exports of Bulk Commodities Such as Nickel and Uranium] Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked the government to consider whether it is necessary to restrict the exports of bulk commodities such as nickel, titanium, and uranium in retaliation for Western sanctions. Earlier, after the United States and the United Kingdom imposed sanctions, the London Metal Exchange banned the acceptance of newly produced Russian nickel and aluminum in April, but Russia sold most of its production to end users.