Moscow says never asked US to abolish sanctions

MOSCOW, Feb 28 (PRIME) -- Moscow has never asked Washington to abolish the sanctions and does not plan to do so, although their lifting would ease economic cooperation and interaction on Syria, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said at the State Duma lower house of parliament on Tuesday.

“If we speak about the sanctions, which caused reduction of the U.S. trade almost by a third – from U.S. $29 billion in 2014 to less than $20 billion last year, we have never asked to abolish them and do not plan to do so," he said.

"In contacts with the U.S. officials I always repeat that we did not discuss and do not discuss criteria for abolishment of the sanctions.” 

Relations between Russia and the West worsened in 2014 due to a military conflict in Ukraine. The West introduced sanctions against some Russian individuals and firms and against the oil, gas, and banking industries. In response, Russia limited food imports from some countries, including the U.S., the E.U., Canada, Australia, and Norway.

Ryabkov said that the sanctions are bad for Russia in a some way, but no worse than they are for the American exports.  

"It is up to Washington to decide, although it is obvious that it woule be more convenient to develop a mutually profitable economic cooperation without the sanctions," he said.

"Moreover, without the restrictions they create ... not only bilateral dialogue would be easier, but also dealing with such complicated problems as the Syrian conflict."

Ryabkov also said that the U.S. Congress is trying to organize economic blockade of Russia and has initiated a bill that may not allow President Donald Trump to ease the sanctions against Moscow.

"Our ill-wishers in the Congress are doing their best to stomp on any bourgeoning positive moments in our relations," he said.

"They introduced a bil this January, which provides for codification of sanctions introduced on (former President Barack) Obama's orders so that Trump cannot cancel them on his will. Moreover, there are proposals to widen the restrictions and make them tougher. There are even efforts to force third countries to stick to them with the help of blackmail. Effectively this comes down to attempts to organize economic blockade of Russia."

Ryabkov said that the bill is now being debated in Congress' committees.

"But we cannot rule out adopting such a law. Given the dominating anti-Russian mood in the Congress, the American lawmakers are able to override the presidential veto," he said.

"We are not dramatizing the situation. We understand that Trump and his appointees need time to fix the work of the foreign block and adjust proirities. But we analyze all the signals coming from Washington attentively, fix them and take them into consideration. We will only judge by deeds."

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