Russia Calls New Possible US Sanctions 'Illegal'

"We view these restrictions slapped by the US against Russia as illegal and therefore we will treat similar steps in the same way if they follow," Peskov said when commenting on Moscow’s reaction to new Washington sanctions, which may be introduced in connection with the Skripal poisoning case, TASS reported.

Moscow is in favor of a dialogue with Washington to solve the existing problems but so far it sees no bright prospects for normalizing bilateral relations, he added.

"One can assume with a high degree of confidence that, of course, no bright prospects for normalizing Russian-American relations are in the offing," the Kremlin spokesman stated when asked about relations between the two countries’ leaders after the November 6 midterm elections in the US.

"That does not mean, however, that we seek no dialogue, that we want no dialogue, because we have numerous problems that require Russian-American intercommunication. These are the problems of strategic stability and arms control. These problems will not be solved by themselves without maintaining a dialogue," Peskov concluded.

Peskov also told reporters that Russia has never interfered in foreign elections, including those in the United States.

"Despite all the phobias affecting the US, Russia has never interfered in electoral processes in any country, including the United States, and has no intention to do it in the future," Peskov said in response to a question about the Kremlin’s attitude to the outcome of the US midterm elections.

US Department of State Spokesperson Heather Nauert said earlier Washington was set to act in accordance with the law on chemical and biological weapons that stipulates imposing another package of sanctions against Russia. According to the US diplomat, the Department of State informed the US Congress on Tuesday that it "could not certify that the Russian Federation met the conditions required by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991".

Also, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday that the Russian government is ready to support companies that will fall under the new US sanctions.

"All this is unpleasant and, of course, will force us to make certain decisions. If necessary, support individual companies, large companies, if they find themselves under such sanctions," he stated, adding that Russia had adapted to the sanctions, received a certain amount of freedom to improve its economy and create new economic mechanisms.

"Therefore, in the case of new sanctions nothing critical will happen, I am sure of it, but all this is unpleasant," he concluded, noting that the Russian economy will endure it.

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