Pres spox promises Russian retaliation to new US sanctions

MOSCOW, Dec 23 (PRIME) -- The extension of the list of Russian companies and individuals penalized by the U.S. for the Ukrainian events is an unfriendly step in the relations between the two countries and imust be retaliated, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters late Tuesday.

“This is in fact continuation of this unfriendly, alogical policy line concerning Russia. In fact, this is continuation of policies which have a destructive impact for the bilateral relations,” Peskov said.

“First, they will be analyzed, these steps which have been taken, and then proposals for possible countermeasures will be accumulated. Again, the principle of mutuality prevails in these things.”

Earlier on Tuesday, the U.S. put 34 more Russian and Ukrainian individuals and companies, including some affiliates of Russian banks Sberbank and VTB Bank, as well as real estate developer Hals Development, Novikombank, and payment service Yandex.Money, on its sanction list. The list also includes three Crimea-based wineries.

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