GENEVA, August 23. /TASS/. Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev and United States National Security Advisor John Bolton did not discuss American sanctions against Russia, just motives behind them. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told TASS about it on Thursday.

"Sanctions as a way to pursue American foreign policy and its tool were not discussed, though the motives due to which the American side launched and continues to launch these sanctions were dwelled on," the senior diplomat noted.

"It can be applied to both Syria and the so-called intervention in the American election. I’d like to emphasize that the conversation on this issue was thorough and professional," Ryabkov pointed out.