15 Apr 2021 10:07

Moscow to symmetrically respond if U.S. expels Russian diplomats - Federation Council

MOSCOW. April 15 (Interfax) - Moscow will mirror Washington's steps if it decides to expel Russian diplomats from the United States, First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council's Foreign Affairs Committee Vladimir Dzhabarov said.

"If it is expulsion, I think that our response will definitely be the same, not less, but maybe even more," Dzhabarov told Interfax on Thursday when commenting on reports about possible new U.S. sanctions.

When asked whether Russia's response will be symmetrical, if, as U.S. media outlets have reported, the U.S. expels Russian diplomats, the Russian senator said, "I think it definitely will be."

However, it is up to the political leadership of the country to adopt such decisions, he said.

Dzhabarov expressed confidence that Russia will react: "we cannot leave this unnoticed."

As regards possible U.S. sanctions against Russian government debt, it would be unwise, Dzhabarov said, because it will affect Americans themselves.

"As regards government debt, they themselves will suffer in this case, because a large number of American companies, individuals and legal entities have invested in our sovereign debt. I hope that they will decide against this stupid step," he said.

If the U.S. introduces its new sanctions, as claimed by the media, the Russian political leadership will consider retaliatory measures, he said.

"It is necessary to pinpoint sore spots that will be really very sensitive for America. I think that our relevant agencies, the Foreign Ministry and other agencies will begin considering it now," he said.

"I think that we will continue behaving in a reserved and quiet manner, but will retaliate if need be," Dzhabarov said.

The U.S.' possible new sanctions against Russia may slow down preparations for a meeting between the two countries' leaders proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden, he said.

"I think that of course these measures will not give any particular impetus and can slow down such preparations," Dzhabarov said.

When commenting on possible consequences of these U.S. sanctions for Russia, Dzhabarov said that "nothing will affect us."

"We have gone through a lot throughout our history - the Great Patriotic War, the disintegration of the country, the 1990s. But it's okay - we rose from our knees and keep moving forward, something which irritates the Americans most of all. They cannot put up with the fact that Russia is no longer what it was when they saw it in the early 1990s. And there is no turning back. And the more they work against our country, impose sanctions, the more the country consolidates around its leader," Dzhabarov said.

As reported earlier, the Biden administration is ready to adopt new restrictive measures targeting Russian individuals and legal entities in retaliation for alleged misconduct, including the SolarWinds hack and attempts to disrupt U.S. elections.

These measures may be announced as soon as Thursday and may target 20 legal entities. In addition, it is possible that the U.S. may announce the expulsion of some ten Russian representatives, including diplomats, from the country.