Russia warned US on Wednesday that economic sanctions imposed by Washington against Moscow over the Ukrainian crisis will only further worsen relations between the two countries.
Russia warned US on Wednesday that economic sanctions imposed by Washington against Moscow over the Ukrainian crisis will only further worsen relations between the two countries.
“Washington will gain nothing from such decisions except for further complication of Russian-American relations and the creation of an unfavorable atmosphere in international affairs, where the cooperation between our countries often plays a key role,” a statement released by the Russian foreign ministry stated.
“We have repeatedly spoken about the illegitimacy and groundlessness of the US sanctions against Russia,” it said, commenting on a new package of sanctions announced by Washington on Tuesday.
In addition to steps taken earlier, the US has now added four new names to the list of Russia-affiliated entities sanctioned by Washington, including the Bank of Moscow, the Russian Agricultural Bank and VTB Bank OAO, as well as the state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation.
Moscow, in response, said that the US is only pretending to be consistent in its current behavior. In fact, “it is only trying to escape responsibility for the tragic development of the events in Ukraine,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.
“It is not Russia but the Kiev regime and its foreign patrons that can be blamed for the increasing number of casualties among civilians in eastern [Ukrainian] regions,” the ministry added in the statement.
The White House – in its “pretentious, prosecutor-like manner” – continues to put forward groundless charges against Russia, the ministry said. At the same time, the US is covering up “the bloody operation by the Kiev military who, in violation of international laws, have launched missile strikes against peaceful cities.”
In Moscow’s view, “the only goal” that the US is pursuing by imposing sanctions is to “settle accounts” with Russia for its policies that are “independent and unfavorable for Washington.”
“The losses that Washington will sustain from such a destructive and myopic policy will be very tangible,” the Foreign Ministry added.
