Anti-Russia Sanctions Extension to Affect Negatively on Global Economy

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Kremlin does not believe that the extension of sanctions against Russia will have a positive impact on the global economy and the international developments in general, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday.

Earlier in the day, British Prime Minister David Cameron said that the G7 states — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States — had decided to extend sanctions against Russia in June.

"The Kremlin's position has not changed: we still believe that this is not an issue on our agenda, however, we do not think that such decisions can have a positive impact on the global economy and on global affairs in general," Peskov told reporters.

The United States, the EU and some of their allies have imposed several rounds of sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy, as well as a number of individuals and entities, over Crimea’s reunification with Russia and Moscow's alleged involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Russia has repeatedly refuted the allegations, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive and undermine global stability. In response to the restrictive measures, Russia has imposed a food embargo on some products originating in countries that have targeted it with sanctions.

The latest round of Western punitive measures against Russia is up for extension among EU members before the July 31 expiration deadline.