(Reuters) – Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov stated that the latest round of U.S. sanctions is an assault on Russia’s fundamental interests, but Moscow will continue to defend them, as reported by the RIA news agency on Friday.
The United States has recently imposed extensive sanctions against Russia, targeting over 500 individuals and entities in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine two years ago and as a retaliation for the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
Antonov, as quoted by RIA, described the new sanctions as “unjustified and cynical” attempts to meddle in Russia’s internal affairs.
The sanctions by the United States specifically targeted Russia’s state-owned National Payment Card System, the operator of the Mir payment system, SPB Bank, owned by SPB Exchange, gold producer Uzhuralzoloto, pipe manufacturer TMK, and major steelmaker Mechel, among others.
The National Payment Card System reassured that the sanctions would not impact the functioning of payment services within Russia.
Furthermore, the U.S. also sanctioned the manufacturer of the Russian luxury Aurus limousine. The Kremlin mentioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin had gifted an Aurus to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who had expressed admiration for the vehicle during a demonstration by Putin last year.
(Reporting by Reuters)
