The US State Department has commented on Russia’s response to US sanctions, Ren TV reports. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry expresses regret at the introduction of countermeasures and speaks of its right to respond to them.
“Today’s announcement of measures by the Russian government was an escalation and is regrettable. It is not in our interests to enter the escalation cycle, but we reserve the right to respond to any retaliatory actions of Russia against the United States,” the State Department said.
US sanctions against Russia in the department called proportional and appropriate in relation to the “harmful activities of Russia.”
Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced a mirror response to the actions of the United States : in response to the expulsion of Russian diplomats from the country, Russia will expel American ones. In the near future, a list of American diplomats whose presence in Russia will be deemed undesirable will be published.
