President Putin vows to retaliate against US sanctions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that Russia would be forced to retaliate against the United States if Washington continued to pursue what he called "illegal sanctions" against Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: AFP

Speaking at a press conference during his visit to Finland yesterday, July 27, Russian President Putin commented for the first time on the US House of Representatives' approval of new sanctions against Russia.

Putin said that if the US implements new sanctions against Russia, "it would be very regrettable because it would be a reckless act that would worsen the situation." The Kremlin leader also said that these US sanctions are "unacceptable" and would lead to the collapse of international relations.

"We never accept and will never accept this... We have always exercised utmost restraint and patience, but at some point we will be forced to respond. We cannot continue to tolerate this insolent behavior towards us," Putin said.

He also mentioned the US expulsion of 35 Russian diplomats under the administration of former US President Barack Obama. He argued that this sanction was "a violation of international law."

The Kremlin leader's comments came after the US House of Representatives passed a bill expanding sanctions against Russia. In yesterday's vote, the US Senate also passed the bill with 97 votes in favor and 2 against. To be implemented, the law still needs to be signed into law by US President Donald Trump.

Reuters, citing a senior White House official, reported that President Trump could veto the bill and propose tougher sanctions against Russia.

According to Dan Tri