Calls of the US Congress to introduce new sanctions against Russia, including against its leadership, are futile and will not intimidate Russia, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said on Wednesday, answering questions from the media.
"We believe that calls at the Capitol for the introduction of "crippling" anti-Russian restrictions, as well as personal sanctions against the top leadership of the Russian Federation are provocative and futile. We won't be intimidated by restrictions," he was quoted as saying by the embassy's Facebook press service.
At the same time, Antonov expressed the opinion that such calls in the US are an attempt to influence Moscow against the background of ongoing security consultations. "Lawmakers' demands to "punish our country more painfully" conceal an attempt to influence Russia against the background of the ongoing negotiations on European security. We see this kind of pressure as the inability of the United States to defend its point of view at the negotiating table," he stressed.
Speaking about the sanctions that US lawmakers propose to introduce in case of escalation of the situation around Ukraine, the head of the Russian diplomatic mission called allegations about Russia's alleged plan to attack the neighboring country a product of "sick imagination of local Russophobic circles" and a result of "their mental disorder". "The answer is unambiguous: we have no aggressive intentions against Ukraine," Antonov stressed. "The impression is that American politicians, through the media, have launched the myth of an "imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine" and are now overcoming their own phobias themselves," he added.
Moscow is waiting for an adequate response
"Under these circumstances, we would recommend that local lawmakers engage in the formation of a bipartisan consensus to bring America out of its deepest economic and political crisis," the Russian diplomat advised.
"We are against confrontation. Our choice is to build equal pragmatic relations between Russia and the United States. It is time for politicians in Washington to give up threats. This strategy will do the American people no good. International security, which needs wise and well-thought-out actions, will lose," he stressed.
The ambassador noted that Moscow has already presented to Washington its initiatives to resolve the crisis. "We expect an adequate response, but not in the form of populist statements, but reasoned written proposals," Antonov said.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Valery Sharifulin/TASS
Based on materials from TASS