"Only the United Nations is authorized to impose sanctions in case of grave rights violations. All other sanctions, including those against Russia, are illegitimate and unlawful," Valentina Matvienko told reporters, answering a question about the possible introduction of anti-Russian sanctions over its role in the Syrian conflict.
Earlier this month, different European politicians, including Germany's Coordinator for Intersocietal Cooperation with Russia, Central Asia and the Eastern Partnership Countries Gernot Erler, spoke about the introduction of restrictive measures against Russia over its alleged meddling in the Syrian conflict, which has aggravated in recent weeks.
On Saturday, the Syrian opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) also called on Brussels to impose sanctions on Russia over its actions during the anti-terror campaign in the Middle Eastern nation.
