ATHENS (Sputnik) — He added that Russia should continue cooperation with the countries interested in partnership, for example with Greece.
"The reality is that the effect of any sanctions is ephemeral and in majority of cases they have negative consequences for their initiators. We will not call on anyone with requests to lift the sanctions. This is the issue of our [European] partners' political will and political maturity," Prikhodko said.
The Russian authorities have repeatedly refuted the allegations, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive. In response to the Western restrictive measures, in August 2014, Russia announced a one-year food embargo on some products originating in states that imposed sanctions against it. The ban has since been extended for another year.
