Russian Foreign Ministry: Unlawful Western sanctions on Russia are here to stay
ANOSINO (Moscow region). Dec 1 (Interfax) - The Western sanctions on Russia, which aim at weakening the country and changing its authorities, will not be lifted in the near future, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Vasily Nebenzya said.
"We have to understand that the unlawful and illegitimate sanctions imposed on us will not be lifted tomorrow," Nebenzya said at a domestic policy and social affairs seminar with vice-governors at the Sberbank Corporate University in the Moscow region on Monday.
"Their goal is not to alter our policy. Everyone realizes that the attempts to speak the language of ultimatums with Russia are totally unacceptable and unpromising. This is the wish to weaken the country and to change its authorities," he added.
Russia is ready for constructive cooperation with the United States only on the principles of equality and genuine consideration for each other's interests, on the condition the U.S. "abandons its attempts of blackmail, diktat and interference in internal affairs," the diplomat said. "Washington's approach can hardly be described as other than hostile in the context of the sanctions imposed on whole economic sectors," Nebenzya said.
Judging by the outcomes of the U.S. congressional midterm elections, Russia can hardly expect a change in Washington's policy, he added.
