US Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan, after a conversation with representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said that the meeting was held in a professional and respectful manner.
Sullivan’s statement, posted on the website of the US Embassy in Russia on April 15, said the United States will continue to seek opportunities to work with Russia to build predictable relationships.
“We made it clear that we want stable and predictable relations with Russia. However, we have also made it clear – publicly and privately – that we will defend our national interests and hold the Russian government accountable for its actions aimed at damaging our sovereignty, ”Sullivan said.
On April 15, the US Ambassador was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry. The official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova clarified before the conversation with the ambassador that this conversation would become “difficult” for the American side.
She stressed that Russia will respond to “such aggressive behavior.”
Earlier that day, US President Joe Biden signed a decree imposing new anti-Russian sanctions.
The restrictions were imposed on 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.”
The United States prohibited its companies from directly purchasing Russian debt securities issued by the Central Bank, the National Wealth Fund, or the RF Ministry of Finance after June 14, 2021.
Also, sanctions were introduced against eight individuals and legal entities associated with Crimea, including members of the republic’s government.
In addition, it became known about the expulsion of ten employees of the Russian diplomatic mission in Washington.
In turn, the first deputy head of the international committee of the Federation Council, Vladimir Dzhabarov, expressed confidence that these sanctions would harm Washington itself, since many American companies, individuals and legal entities have invested in the Russian national debt. The Federation Council noted that Moscow will respond to the restrictions.