These sanctions, if imposed, "can only be regarded as an act of aggression"
Moscow. February 10th. INTERFAX - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov promised an adequate response to any unfriendly steps by Britain towards Russia at talks on February 10 with British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Minister Elizabeth Truss, the Russian Foreign Ministry reports.
"Lavrov emphasized that, as before, any unfriendly steps by the British side will not remain without an adequate proportional response, but this is not our choice. It was stressed that the crisis initiated by London in bilateral relations devalues the importance of dialogue with the British on international issues," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website.
It stresses that "possible anti-Russian sanctions, which, according to the new amendments to British legislation, may apply to any individual or legal entity in one way or another connected with the Russian state, in the event of their introduction, can be regarded as nothing but an act of aggression."
"Our response will be measured and tough," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The department reported that the head of the British Foreign Ministry "was clearly given to understand that London's anti-Russian activity in Ukraine and other post-Soviet countries cannot but have a negative impact on Russian-British relations." "It is noted that the incessant attempts of the British to interfere in our internal affairs and the affairs of neighboring states are unacceptable and should be stopped immediately," the message says.
"At the same time, Russia's principled constructive approach remains unchanged - we are ready to cooperate with foreign partners, including the UK, as much as they intend to develop relations with our country. The choice is up to London," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The UK remains an active supporter of Western anti-Russian sanctions. So, at the end of January, the British government submitted to parliament a document that provides new grounds for bringing Russian legal entities and individuals under sanctions.
"This package of sanctions, which we are developing by law, will be ready by February 10, so we will be able to impose large-scale sanctions in various categories that really affect anyone who provides strategic or economic support to the Russian authorities," Truss said earlier.
