LONDON, February 22. /TASS/. The United Kingdom’s yet another batch of arbitrary and illegitimate anti-Russian sanctions will not remain unanswered, the Russian embassy in London said in a statement.

"Yet another package of restrictions timed by London to coincide with the second anniversary of the beginning of our special operation, vividly demonstrates that the practical sense of once lauded sanctions has been diluted. Now they are theatrically used by British officials to mark ‘jubilee’ dates and show off before partners at international venues," the embassy said. "These illegitimate and arbitrary restrictions imposed by the British side will not remain unanswered.".

The embassy noted that the West’s sanction policy has proved its inefficiency. "Emotions-driven rhetoric by British officials, who demand that Russia repent and pay for its actions, only prove that the Western policy of sanctions, blackmail and confrontation has failed. Russia will continue to use all every legal tool to defend its wellbeing and security. The goals of the special military operation will be fully attained," it stressed.

"The tragic paradox of the situation is that exactly ten years ago London actively supported the anti-constitutional state coup in Kiev, which brought to power the nationalist anti-Russian regime. It pushed this regime toward aggressive provocative actions against Donbass and Crimea, which reunified with Russia, turning a blind eye on Kiev’s dodging the implementation of the Minsk Package of Measures. It actively supplied the Ukrainian army with weapons and organized military trainings. After the beginning of the special military operation, it has been standing surety for the Kiev regime, having actually broken down peace talks with Russia," the embassy said.

"Now that the [Ukrainian President Vladimir] Zelensky regime is suffering defeat after defeat, London is resorting to illegal restrictive measures in an attempt to fight against the consequences of its own erroneous decisions," it added.

Earlier on Thursday, the United Kingdom expanded the list of its anti-Russian sanctions by 50 positions. The new sanctions cover two diamond companies, Alrosa CEO Pavel Marinychev, munitions and metallurgical enterprises, companies linked with the sales and shipments of oil, Noovatek and Arctic LNG 2 top management.