MOSCOW, July 17 (RIA Novosti) – Moscow considers the United States implementing new sanctions against Russia to be a primitive attempt for revenge over the events in Ukraine, which are not unfolding according to Washington’s plans.
"We consider the new package of American sanctions against Russia to be a primitive attempt for revenge, because the events in Ukraine are not developing according to Washington's scenario. The outrageous and ungrounded attempt to place the blame on Russia for a civil war in a neighboring country, which has become the result of a deep internal crisis and has already led to multiple victims, proves the failure in the strategy of the US and its clients in Kiev in the forceful suppression of the broad dissatisfaction of the society," a statement published on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website says.
Moscow also said that by resorting to such measures the White House is effectively inciting bloodshed in eastern Ukraine, instead of forcing the Ukrainian leadership to stop using artillery and armored vehicles against civilians.
On Wednesday, US authorities imposed new sanctions against a number of Russian companies and banks, including Gazprombank and Vnesheconombank, also known as the Development and Foreign Economic Affairs Bank, as well as Rosneft and Novatek. The companies have been denied access to US financial markets, while the US-based companies and individuals are prohibited from granting loans to them for more than 90 days. The leaders of the European Union have also approved the expansion of the sanctions' list.
The United States and European Union accuse Russia of meddling with Ukraine's internal affairs, and have already introduced targeted sanctions against a number of Russian officials and companies. The Western sanctions have been extending gradually since their initial introduction after Russia's reunification with Crimea.
Moscow has repeatedly condemned the sanction "language", warning of the reverse effect such limitations can have.
Earlier on Thursday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow retains its right to reciprocal measures over the sanctions , stating that nobody "will not tolerate blackmail."
