Russia is determined to work for the end of crisis in Russian-US relations, but "it is not going to mourn if Washington does not reciprocate," Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media on Monday.
"The Russian president hopes for the best. He would like to end the deepest crisis in our relations. He has repeatedly said so himself. This intention remains, but at the same time nobody is going to mourn, if we do not see Washington’s reciprocity on that score," he said.
On US sanctions
The Kremlin will respond to fresh US sanctions after they take effect and will be guided by the country’s interests, Peskov said.
"Let us not forestall events. We will do what the Russian president always does. He does what meets our country’s interests best," he said. "Let’s wait and see. Let’s wait for what happens, and only then will we be guided, above all, by the Russian Federation’s interests."
Peskov noted that the Kremlin was aware of the fact that a bill on new sanctions had been prepared and posted on the relevant online resources. "We studied it thoroughly and believe this is a continuation of unfriendly and illegal, from the point of view of international law, actions. Such restrictive measures have an adverse effect on the entire global trade," he added.
According to Peskov, Moscow is determined to work to end the crisis in Russian-US relations, but "it is not going to mourn if Washington does not reciprocate."
"The Russian president hopes for the best. He would like to end the deepest crisis in our relations. He has repeatedly said so himself. This intention remains, but at the same time nobody is going to mourn, if we do not see Washington’s reciprocity on that score," he said.