Belarusian Foreign Ministry describes new U.S. sanctions as futile

MINSK. March 27 (Interfax) - The Belarusian Foreign Ministry has described new U.S. sanctions affecting major Belarusian MAZ and BelAZ manufacturers as futile, saying that no threats will make Minsk turn from its intended course.

"Any attempt to isolate and strangle our country economically is doomed to failure. Belarus has been, is and will remain a sovereign state pursuing an independent foreign policy. And no sanctions, restrictions and threats will make us deviate from our intended course and act contrary to our national interests," the Belarusian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

"The decision of American authorities came as no surprise to the Belarusian side," it said

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry is convinced that the MAZ and BelAZ personnel, "already having a significant experience of working under the sanctions pressure, will successfully cope with any new challenges."