We assess the new package of US sanctions against Russia as a primitive attempt at vengeance, because the events in Ukraine are not developing according to Washington's own scenario. The outrageous and unjustified aspiration to shift the blame onto Russia for the civil war in our neighbouring country, which was the consequence of a deep internal crisis and has already led to many casualties, is evidence that the strategy of the United States and their Kiev clients to calm down the widespread popular dissatisfaction by force, has failed. Instead of bringing the Ukrainian leaders, who have thrown aviation, heavy artillery and armoured equipment at the population of Donbass and Luganschina, to their senses, the White House is actually provoking them to bloodshed. In doing this, they cynically attempt to shift the responsibility from themselves and to grossly distort the facts, and they have started to brandish their favourite weapon – a sanctions club.

We have said many times that it is pointless talking to Russia in the language of sanctions, no matter what the scale of them is. This path will not lead to anything good. This concerns the offence against the assets of Russian companies. Those, who believe that they are exclusive and have the right to dictate their will to the rest of the world, will inevitably face bitter disappointment.

It is well known that sanctions are a sharp double ended tool. As a result of restrictions in economic and financial cooperation, business circles in the United States will come off as the serious losers, and they will have to pay the White House's bills. Such behaviour by Barack Obama's Administration will inevitably affect the possibilities of our interaction in many other areas.

If Washington intends to destroy Russian-American relations, this will remain on the conscience of Washington. We have always been and still are open to constructive cooperation with all countries, including the United States, based on principles of equality, non-interference in domestic affairs and real consideration of one another's interests. Yet we have no intent to abide by blackmailing and reserve the right to use response measures.

17 July 2014