MOSCOW, September 12 (RIA Novosti) - Moscow views new round of US sanctions on Russia over Ukraine as another hostile move, Russia's countermeasures will follow shortly, the Foreign Ministry said Friday.
"We view the introduction of new anti-Russian sanctions by Washington as another hostile step in line with the course on confrontation taken by the US administration," the ministry said in a statement.
"There is no doubt that our response will follow shortly, although, as we have stated on numerous occasions, it will be a forced measure," the statement said.
"Meanwhile, we leave the door open for constructive and candid bilateral cooperation, including the assistance in the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, if the US administration is ready for that," the ministry added.
The United States, as well as the European Union on Friday ratcheted up sanctions on Russia over its alleged involvement in the Ukrainian crisis – the claim that Moscow has repeatedly denied.
The United States Department of Treasury confirmed on Friday that it was expanding sanctions against Russian companies, and increasing the number of sanctioned Russian entities in the financial, energy and defense sectors. This newest round of sanctions also adds Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, to the list of sanctioned financial institutions.
On the same day, a new set of European Union sanctions against Russia came into force. The EU barred three major Russian oil companies (Rosneft, Transneft, Gazprom Neft) and three major defense companies (Oboronprom, United Aircraft Corporation and Uralvagonzavod) from seeking finance on European capital markets. New restrictive measures also target several other Russian entities and 24 individuals.
In response, Russia warned that it could introduce protective measures to new Western sanctions, which may affect machine-building, petrochemical and automotive sectors, as well as restrictions on imports of used cars and textile products.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia's authorities will introduce measures in response to new Western sanctions only to protect the country's interests.
