Russia angry at news of new US sanctions
AFP reported that on December 13, Russia reacted angrily to the news that the US Senate passed a bill calling for new sanctions against Moscow and lethal aid to Ukraine.
“We certainly cannot let this go without a reaction,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told Interfax news agency.
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| Separatist forces stand guard at a position in the city of Donetsk, eastern Ukraine on November 17. (Source: AFP/VNA) |
Ryabkov said it was “anti-Russian sentiment” in the US that helped the bill pass on December 12, which calls for imposing additional sanctions on Russia and providing up to $350 million worth of military equipment to Ukraine. However, the bill still needs to be approved by the White House.
The Obama administration is currently hesitant to provide direct military aid to Ukraine for fear of being drawn into a proxy war with Russia.
The statement was made by Mr. Ryabkov right before the meeting between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his US counterpart John Kerry in Rome (Italy) on December 14. However, Mr. Ryabkov emphasized that the focus of the 17th meeting this year between the two foreign ministers will be the Middle East issue.”./.
According to VNA
