Moscow - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin has discussed the introduction of a fresh package of sanctions against Russia and the situation in Ukraine with chief of he European Union's representative office in Russia Vygaudas Usackas.
“The Russian side deplored the introduction of a new package of restrictive measures against Russia, saying that further spiraling of the European Union sanctions would narrow opportunities for a committed dialogue and lead to other negative consequences,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
Moscow has said on many occasions that it is ready to retaliate, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
“As we have said repeatedly, the European Union leaders have not left any another option for Russia except that of taking additional measures to defend our interests,” the statement says.
The parties also discussed the Ukrainian crisis and the humanitarian disaster in eastern Ukraine.
“Various aspects of the crisis in Ukraine have been discussed, alongside peaceful settlement options and the possibility of easing the humanitarian disaster in southeastern Ukraine,” the Foreign Ministry said.
