16.09 Diplomat: Russia Sees No Reason to Discuss �?Illegal’ US Sanctions

MOSCOW, September 16 (RIA Novosti) – Moscow sees no reason to initiate negotiations with the United States on the “illegal” sanctions imposed on Russia, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Tuesday.

“We do not encourage any discussions with the US about sanctions. We see no topic for discussion here. We consider unilateral sanctions, imposed beyond territorial jurisdiction, to be illegal and in breach of the international law. So there is no reason to negotiate on these issues on any level. We are not going to do this,” he told RIA Novosti in an interview.

“We will continue our course firmly and consistently. Sanctions or their absence will have no impact on what we did and will do in our relations with Kiev, on what we suggest and what we keep in mind while promoting stabilization in the southeast and the launch of internal political process in Ukraine,” the Russian diplomat said, adding that Russia should “be ready for everything” in its relations with the United States.

Moscow Hopes For �?Businesslike’ Cooperation With New US Ambassador

Despite the current chill in Russian-US relations, Moscow expects that new US Ambassador to Russia John Tefft will demonstrate a businesslike approach, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov told RIA Novosti Tuesday.

“It’s too early to make conclusions about his arrival to Moscow,” he said. “But my first impression is that it is possible to work businesslike atmosphere, and we hope this is how it will be.”