Russia: US Sanctions Hinder Cooperation on Iran and Syria

Moscow has warned that the escalation of US sanctions against Russia could impede bilateral cooperation between the two countries on issues such as Iran's nuclear program or the Syrian crisis. The Interfax news agency reported on Tuesday, January 9, the remarks of Alexander Lukashevich, spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stating that Moscow will not leave the US decision to intensify sanctions against Russia unanswered. Mr. Lukashevich stated, "US actions have raised doubts about the prospects for bilateral cooperation regarding the resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue, the Syrian crisis, and other urgent international matters." On January 8, the United States added four Russian citizens, including two senior officials from the Chechen Republic, to its sanctions list for alleged human rights violations and concealment in the case of Sergei Magnitsky's death, a lawyer and whistleblower of widespread corruption among Russian officials. The sanctions include a visa ban and the freezing of the assets of those sanctioned, but Moscow has threatened to respond to US actions. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman further stated, "Washington should have realized by now that we do not leave such hostile attacks unanswered." In recent months, Russia has faced US and Western sanctions over its alleged interventions in Ukraine. These sanctions have weakened the Russian economy and led to the fall of the ruble, the country's currency. Nevertheless, Russia threatens to respond to US actions. Recently, Moscow defined NATO as its main military threat in its new doctrine. In this context, the US Congress approved the intensification of sanctions against Russia.