Western sanctions constitute challenge for Russia - State Duma speaker

MOSCOW. March 4 (Interfax) - The sanctions against Russia are a challenge, and U.S. President Joe Biden has compared them to WWIII, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said.

"The U.S. president has underlined that the sanctions, which are currently being imposed, can be compared only to WWIII. A war is the alternative to them," Volodin said at a State Duma meeting on Friday.

He referred to the U.S. president's comparison of the sanctions to WWIII and said that deputies should reflect on the challenges that needed to be overcome and to demonstrate a responsible attitude.

"A special, additional meeting has been scheduled for today. We have items on our agenda that have been submitted by the government to support the economy and the population," Volodin said.