Spox: Early to speak about Russia’s response to new US sanctions

MOSCOW, Aug 9 (PRIME) -- The Kremlin believes it is too early to speak about Moscow’s possible retaliatory measures to the new U.S. sanctions over the Salisbury incident, the president’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday.

“First of all, we heard official statements about new so-called sanctions, we heard some high-ranking source, who was talking about a possibility of some restrictions against Russia. That’s why it would not be right to speak about some counter-measures until we understand specifically and officially what it involves,” he said.

On Wednesday, the U.S. announced new sanctions against Russia for its alleged involvement in the Skripal poisoning case. Sources told NBC television channel that the first package of restrictions includes a full ban on imports of dual-use devices and component parts to Russia, while the second tranche may include a ban on flights of Russian national flagship carrier Aeroflot.

Peskov also said that the U.S. linking its new sanctions to Salisbury poisoning is unacceptable and illegal.

“Linking with these events is unacceptable for us. And such restrictions, like those adopted by the U.S. in advance, in our understanding and in our conviction are absolutely illegal and not in accordance with the international law,” he said.

Peskov also said that the Russian financial system is stable and is ready for the introduction of new U.S. sanctions.

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