The United States and Russia are great powers that inhabit “proud and patriotic peoples,” said American leader Joe Biden during performances in the White House, dedicated to relations with Moscow.
According to the US president, he and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin are responsible for keeping relations between Moscow and Washington “in working order.”
Speaking about the previously imposed US sanctions against Russia, Biden stressed that he could have introduced tougher restrictions, but did not.
“I clearly told President Putin that we could go further, but I decided not to. I chose proportionality, ”he said.
A day earlier, the United States announced the introduction of new anti-Russian sanctions.
The restrictions affected 32 legal entities and individuals from Russia, who, according to the US presidential administration, “attempted to influence the US presidential elections in 2020, as well as other acts of disinformation and interference.” In addition, the restrictions affected the ability of US investors to acquire Russian debt securities issued by the Central Bank, the National Wealth Fund, or the RF Ministry of Finance after June 14, 2021.
In addition, it became known about the expulsion of ten employees of the Russian diplomatic mission in Washington.
In the State Duma, the introduction by the United States of new anti-Russian sanctions was explained by the fact that such actions put everything in its place and showed that a restart of relations between Washington and Moscow will not happen.
The Russian Foreign Ministry warned of a decisive response to US sanctions.
The Central Bank of Russia noted that against the background of the imposition of US sanctions, the regulator, if necessary, is ready to use the tools at its disposal in order to maintain financial stability.