US sanctions undermine int'l cooperation with Russia

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Tuesday the latest U.S. sanctions on Russian officials put in question the bilateral cooperation on major global problems.

The sanctions particularly hinders the efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement on Iran's controversial nuclear program and to find a peaceful solution for the Syrian crisis, according to the spokesman.

"It seems as if there are people in Washington who are itching to destroy the foundation of our bilateral relations," RIA Novosti news agency quoted Lukashevich as saying.

The spokesman said that the move was "totally politically motivated", warning that Russia has never left and will never leave such unfriendly moves unanswered.

The U.S. Department of Treasury on Monday added four Russians to its sanctions list under a law enacted two years ago following the death of Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who was described by the U.S. as a fighter against corruptions among Russian officials.

The Russian Foreign Ministry on Saturday posted a year-end statement on its website, criticizing the U.S. for its "wilful" choices to step up pressure on Moscow by imposing more sanctions, which only resulted in the escalating tensions between the two countries.

The ministry also called for the restoration of bilateral relations, which is only possible when Washington is ready to respect Moscow's interests and conduct an equal dialogue.

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