The Russian ambassador to the US mentioned that he did not suppose sanctions can be efficient towards his nation.

Anatoly Antonov responded to one of many many questions he is acquired from the media concerning the Russian invasion into Ukraine on the embassy's Fb web page. When requested about sanctions towards the nation after it acknowledged two Ukrainian separatist areas as impartial states, he shrugged off the concept they might do something to hurt Russia. This response was as a result of truth, he mentioned, that Russia has merely realized to depend on different strategies of acquiring assets and data.

"Sanctions won't resolve something concerning Russia," mentioned Antonov. "It is arduous to think about that anybody in Washington is relying on Russia to overview its overseas coverage course underneath menace of restrictions. One thing I am unable to recall [is] a single day when our nation lived with none restrictions from the Western world. We realized to work in such situations. And never solely survive, but in addition develop our state."

The sanctions in query contain the U.S. formally reducing itself off from Russian banks in order that Russian elites can not entry any funds from the U.S. This measure is slated to be considered one of many upcoming sanctions if the battle between Russia and Ukraine continues.

"These [sanctions] have been carefully coordinated with our allies and companions, and we'll proceed to escalate sanctions if Russia escalates," mentioned U.S. President Joe Biden on February 22, when the sanctions had been introduced.

Anatoly Antonov
Russia's Ambassador to the U.S., Anatoly Antonov, expressed skepticism over current sanctions enacted towards Russia in a Fb put up. Above, Antonov arrives for an handle by former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at a discussion board on US-South Korea relations on the Atlantic Council in Washington, D.C., on December 12, 2017. Picture by Mandel Ngan/Pool/AFP by way of Getty Photos

Nevertheless, Antonov just isn't as satisfied. In reality, he predicts that the sanctions will do the alternative of what they're meant to do, hurting the U.S. and its allies greater than Russia.

"There is no such thing as a doubt that the sanctions imposed towards us will harm the worldwide monetary and vitality markets," he continued on Fb. "The USA won't be not noted, with its atypical residents feeling the implications of the value enhance in full."

Within the Fb put up, he additionally mentioned the Minsk peace agreements that many Western nations have introduced up within the midst of the separatist recognitions.

"Over the previous seven years, Individuals have completed nothing to persuade Ukrainian management of the necessity to adjust to the Minsk agreements. As an alternative, [Washington, D.C.] inspired the Kiev 'regime' to inaction," mentioned Antonov. "Fixing the issue or, not less than, to method it was fairly straightforward. It was sufficient for the White Home to pressure Kiev officers to take a seat on the desk of negotiations with their compatriots from Donetsk and Lugansk. The victory for all sides of the battle is apparent. Nevertheless, one other line was chosen right here—to pump the Kiev regime with 'weapons' and push it to warfare."

Replace at 2/23/2022 at 3:09 p.m. EST: This story has been up to date to incorporate extra quotes from Anatoly Antonov and background info on U.S. sanctions towards Russia.