Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov summoned U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan on Thursday, telling him that the new anti-Russian sanctions will shortly be followed by "a series of retaliatory measures."
Sullivan was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry after the United States imposed sanctions against Russia and expelled 10 diplomats in response to Moscow's alleged election interference and cyber activities.
Ryabkov told Sullivan that these "unacceptable" measures run counter to Washington's declared intention to "build pragmatic relations with Russia" and have dealt a new heavy blow to them.
According to Ryabkov, Moscow has demonstrated an "extremely responsible" approach over the years to the task of maintaining relations with the United States, but Washington under successive administrations only aggravated the situation by not responding to Russia's constructive push.
