You're reading: Moscow promises to respond to Australian sanctions against Russians, Ukrainians

 Moscow is disappointed with the introduction of new sanctions regarding Russia due to the situation in Ukraine and thinks that this step shows distorted perceptions of what is happening, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

“We are disappointed with the statement of Australian Foreign
Minister Julie Bishop on the introduction of additional sanctions
regarding 38 Russian and Ukrainian citizens and 11 companies due to the
situation in Ukraine,” the Russian Foreign Ministry Information and
Press Department said in a statement on Thursday.

The list includes 38 more Russians and Ukrainians and 11 legal
entities. Now Australian sanctions apply to a total of 50 people and 11
companies.

“Of course, they will not go unanswered,” the document said.

At the same time, “we have said repeatedly that Russia does not accept attempts to talk with sanctions,” the statement said.

“Having openly chosen an anti-Russian line and circulating
accusations detached from reality, [Australian Prime Minister] Toni
Abbott’s government should realize that it takes responsibility for
damaging Russian-Australian relations upon itself,” the Russian Foreign
Ministry said.

“This step, obviously taken under external pressure, shows that
Canberra has distorted understanding of reasons behind the domestic
political crisis in Ukraine,” the statement said.

Australia will expand the list of Russian and Ukrainian individuals
and companies subject to financial and visa restrictions, Foreign
Minister Julie Bishop said on May 21.

Name lists will be released later so that private individuals and
legal entities can not avoid sanctions by disposing assets or in other
ways, Bishop said.