Senior Russian official censures 'destructive' stance by US
A senior Russian official has slammed the US government’s "destructive" stance in its relations with Moscow, warning that Russia could deal "painful" counterblows.
"Our bilateral agenda with the United States has become utterly negative because of the destructive course taken by Washington," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Friday.
He also stated that Russia could retaliate against potential fresh US sanctions without necessarily disclosing its measures.
"We are working on them, but it would be wrong to announce them in advance, and, in fact, announce some of them at all," Ryabkov noted, emphasizing, "We are leaving all options for ourselves. We have used and, if necessary, will use quite painful countermeasures."
Relations between Washington and Moscow have been strained over the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
Since March 2014, Washington and the European Union have imposed several rounds of economic sanctions on Russia after accusing Moscow of being involved in the Ukrainian conflict that broke out last year. Russia has repeatedly denied the accusation.
In response to the sanctions, Moscow has banned most food imports from the US and the EU. Moscow is also reportedly considering a ban on the imports of cars and clothes from Western countries.
Violence broke out in Ukraine in April 2014, when the Ukrainian army launched operations to crush pro-Russia protests in the mainly Russian-speaking regions in Ukraine’s east.
According to the latest figures by the United Nations, around 5,700 people have been killed and about 13,961 others injured over the past months of conflict between the Ukrainian army and the pro-Russians.
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