Sanctions remain a constant in U.S. policy on Russia - Foreign Ministry
MOSCOW. June 1 (Interfax) - Moscow regrets that sanctions remain a constant in the United States policy on Russia.
"Regrettably, one has to admit that sanctions remain a constant of the U.S. policy on Russia," Deputy Foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said in an interview with Interfax on Thursday.
"It is a reflection of what we think is an obvious deficit of constructive ideas in Washington as to how to build relations with Russia," Ryabkov said.
"We will be working on the basis on these conclusions, including when determining the nature of our reaction to the latest destructive U.S. actions," Ryabkov said.
Earlier on Thursday the U.S. Department of the Treasury introduced sanctions against three Russian companies and one individual supposedly for violating the UN Security Council resolution on North Korea.
There is a "gap between official Washington declarations of intention to look for ways to improve the relations, and such practical steps," Ryabkov said.
"Restoring the relations on such a basis is extremely difficult. Instead of sorting out the rubble left by the Obama administration, the U.S. made a step that will multiply that rubble," the deputy minister said.
"Of course we are disappointed by these inconsistent and hard-to-explain swings in the U.S. approach," Ryabkov said.
Earlier on Thursday the U.S. Department of the Treasury extended its sanctions list by adding Russian citizen Igor Michurin, linked to Korea Tangun Trading Corporation, and three Russian companies: Ardis-Bearings LLC, NNK-Primornefteproduct and Independent Petroleum Company.
