Lavrov describes West's sanctions as 'tax on independence'

MOSCOW. March 3 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has described the West's sanctions on Russia as a tax on its independence.

"Their brains are currently focused solely on punishing Russia as much as possible. Certainly, this affects the economy and the social sector, but I assure you, we'll resolve all these problems that the West is causing us not out of the desire to ensure its security but out of the desire to deprive Russia of its ability to pursue an independent policy. Not so many countries are left that can afford this luxury. Therefore, if you will, the sanctions are a kind of tax on independence," Lavrov said in an interview with Russian and Western media outlets on Thursday.