Updated 11:42 a.m. Moscow Time
MOSCOW, September 28 (RIA Novosti) – Moscow is not interested in continuing the sanction war with western countries, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview to Channel 5.
“We are not interested in the current period extending further. We are not keen on continuing the sanction war, trading blows,” Lavrov said.
The minister noted that Russia will not continue the sanction war simply to create troubles for someone else, “as is the case with our partners when they impose restrictive measures on us.” The diplomat added that Russia will ensure the protection of its economic and other interests.
Relations between Russia and the West have deteriorated as the European Union, the United States and their partners repeatedly accused Russia for its alleged involvement in Ukrainian crisis, a claim Moscow has repeatedly denied.
In late July, the European Union (EU) and the United States have expanded sanctions, which previously targeted certain individuals and companies to measures against entire sectors of the Russian economy. Russia was pushed to respond to the sanctions by banning food imports from the United States, EU, Canada, Australia, and Norway. The retaliatory measures included food products such as beef, pork, poultry, sausages, fish, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products.
On September 12, the West released another package of sanctions targeting Russia's largest banks, oil and defense companies, as well as certain individuals. The companies were denied access to the European capital markets, while a number of individuals were subject to entry bans and asset freezes.
Moscow has repeatedly stressed that it is not involved in the Ukrainian crisis, referred to the language of sanctions “counterproductive,” and said that such measures “threaten international peace and stability.”
