On Wednesday, the Russian government warned the United States of a “strong” and “painful” response to the sanctions announced by the Biden Administration against the country over its invasion of Ukraine, according to multiple reports.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Russia will target “sensitive” US assets as retaliation to the sanctions imposed.
The ministry said in a statement that the US sanctions against it are part of America’s “ongoing attempts to change Russia’s course,” CNN reported.
“Russia has proved that, despite all the sanctions costs, it is able to minimize the damage,” the ministry said in the statement. “And even more so, sanctions pressure is not able to affect our determination to firmly defend our interests.”
The Russian ministry said that it was open to diplomacy with the US, but that the sanctions will be met with a “fierce response”, according to CNN.
The ministry added, “There should be no doubt that sanctions will receive a strong response, not necessarily symmetrical, but finely tuned and painful to the American side.”
According to the Moscow Times, the ministry provided no specifics, noting only that Russia will take asymmetrical and “measured” retaliatory steps targeting “sensitive” U.S. interests.
Germany stopped the approval process for Nord Stream 2, a pipeline that would transport natural gas directly from Russia to Europe, the nation’s leader said Tuesday.
“In light of the most recent developments we must reassess the situation in particular regarding Nord Stream 2,” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told reporters, Reuters reported.
“The appropriate departments of the economy ministry will make a new assessment of the security of our supply in light of what has changed in the last few days,” he continued.
The pipeline, which is owned and operated by the Russian state-run firm Gazprom, would travel beneath the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany. Most pipelines serving Europe from Russia travel through neighboring countries like Poland or Ukraine.
Nord Stream 2 was completed in September 2021, but still hasn’t received approval from the German government to begin operations. The pipeline has faced tough scrutiny from both the U.S. and European Union.
But in May 2021, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. would waive sanctions placed on the pipeline by former President Donald Trump. President Joe Biden then gave a stamp of approval to the $11 billion project in July after a meeting with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Senate Democrats defeated a proposal from Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz in January to reimpose the sanctions removed by the Biden administration. Although several Democrats voted with Republicans, the vote failed to reach the required 60-vote threshold.
“For two years, this body has had bipartisan consensus and unanimity on standing up to Russia on stopping Nord Stream 2,” Cruz said on the Senate floor prior to the vote. “It is only with a Democrat in the White House that suddenly scores of Democrats have decided partisan loyalty is more important than standing up to Russia.”
Visit Tampafp.com for Politics, Tampa Area Local News, Sports, and National Headlines. Support journalism by clicking here to our GoFundMe or sign up for our free newsletter by clicking here.
Android Users, Click Here To Download The Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook Here Or Twitter Here.