Russian Foreign Ministry introduces response sanctions regarding U.S. officials, legislators
MOSCOW. March 20 (Interfax) - Moscow said it was introducing response sanctions regarding U.S. officials and legislators.
"In response to the sanction measures announced by the U.S. administration of March 17, 2014 against some Russian officials and Federal Assembly deputies as 'a punishment' for supporting the Crimean referendum, Russia announces the introduction of mutuality-based sanctions regarding the same number of U.S. officials and legislators," the Russian Foreign Ministry posted a statement on its website.
"We have warned repeatedly that using sanctions is a double-edged sword and will hit the United States back. Washington has been repeatedly assured that it is unacceptable and counter-productive to talk with our country in such a way. However, the U.S. seems to continue believing blindly in the efficiency of such methods taken of the arsenal of the past and does not want to admit the obvious - in complete accordance with international laws and the UN Charter Crimean residents voted democratically for re-joining Russia respecting and accepting this choice. This decision can be liked or not but it concerns reality, which has to be taken into account," the document said.
"There should be no doubts - we will respond adequately to every hostile attack," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
