In case of new sanctions Russia reserves right for response

© AR-TASS/Gennady Khamelyanin

Russia will take retaliatory measures in case the EU imposes new sanctions, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

An analysis of the European Council's latest conclusions of August 30 shows that EU member states cannot overcome the inertia of unreserved support for Kiev authorities. "The hysteria at the European Council meeting about mythical 'Russian aggression' in Ukraine has brought fruit."

"Based on absolutely unsubstantiated statements about presence of Russian armed forces in the country's territory and laying responsibility with Moscow without grounds for what is happening there, Brussels, instead of demanding an immediate ceasefire and creation of conditions for an inter-Ukrainian national dialogue between the warring parties, continues to evade acknowledging the real causes of the dramatic situation in the southeast of Ukraine.

"Factually there is no assessment of the humanitarian situation in the Ukrainian region, which has, as a result of Kiev authorities' actions, a large-scale humanitarian catastrophe and a growing death toll among civilians. The number of refugees from Ukraine in Russia nears one million.

"Regrettably, the European Council, contrary to its member countries' interests, gives in to countries interested in implementation of geopolitical schemes to increase confrontation with Russia.

"We hope the EU will be able to independently look at the situation above stereotypes of the last century and begin constructive work to help settle the internal Ukrainian conflict," the ministry said.

If new anti-Russian sanctions are imposed, Russia reserves the right to take retaliatory measures to defend its rightful interests, the ministry added.