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Kremlin works out various scenarios in relation to possible new sanctions

Earlier, Bloomberg reported that the US and the UK are considering the possibility to introduce additional sanctions against Russia
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov Sergei Karpukhin/TASS
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov
© Sergei Karpukhin/TASS

MOSCOW, March 5. /TASS/. The Kremlin takes into account a threat of new sanctions against Russia and works out various scenarios to protect interests of citizens and business, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on Friday.

Earlier, Bloomberg, citing sources, reported that the US and the UK are considering the possibility to introduce additional sanctions against Russia, accusing it of using chemical weapons.

"Of course, Russia understands this, takes this into account, And works out various scenarios in order to ensure and protect interests of our country, our citizens and our business in the best way possible," the Kremlin representative said in response to a question whether Moscow has a plan of action if such restrictions are introduced.

The spokesman noted that Moscow meticulously registers reports of possible new sanctions, so far they are no more than media reports. "At the same time, of course, we understand that based on the mechanism that is used, for example, in Washington, the second part of sanctions is being announced," he pointed out. 

US sanctions over Navalny

On Tuesday, Washington introduced a new round of sanctions over the Navalny case against Director of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Alexander Bortnikov, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Kiriyenko, Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov and four more individuals, as well as a number of enterprises and institutions. The US sanctions particularly include a "denial to Russia of any credit, credit guarantees, or other financial assistance" by US government agencies and a "prohibition on the export to Russia" of security-sensitive goods and technology. The statement by the US Department of State noted that the sanctions were caused by Russian use of chemical weapons against its own nationals.

It was also pointed out that the restrictions will remain in place for a minimum of 12 months and could be removed if Moscow met several conditions. Particularly, Russia should provide reliable assurances that it will not use chemical or biological weapons against its own nationals, allow on-site inspections by United Nations observers or representatives of other internationally recognized structures to verify that it is not making preparations to use chemical or biological weapons and make restitution to those allegedly affected by any use of chemical weapons authorized by it.