Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federat : Comment by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov on the new US sanctions against Russia

On January 9, the outgoing US administration expanded sanctions against Russia, the fourth hostile move in less than three weeks. We could have continued without comment, since the inadequacy of the leaders in Washington, who have fallen into a sanctions-mania, is something that is clear to everyone. But the situation begs for a few pertinent remarks.

The Obama administration has used numerous expedients in recent years in an attempt to hurt us. Now they feel outraged because their candidate lost the presidential race. But they are seeking to place the blame for their defeat anywhere but in their own backyard. And this frustration is an expression of their bad manners and Russophobia.

The White House is displaying unwarranted vengefulness even though they know full well that their efforts to harm us are futile and will fail. It is clear that the Obama administration can yet complicate things in its final ten days, which includes anything they can do to make things worse for their successors. This behaviour is simply disgraceful.