Russia says it will retaliate the West properly despite sanctions by the EU and the US. (Photo: Reuters)

He said although the West’s sanctions have disrupted the Russian economy, Russia will still retaliate appropriately. Lukashevich said Russia opposes the US plan to impose sanctions on Russia, explaining that only sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council are legal.
A new round of economic sanctions on Russia will take effect on Friday, including sanctions preventing Russian companies and banks from receiving EU capital, restricting the export of hi-tech products from the EU to Russia, and freezing some Russian officials’ assets and restricting their travel. EU diplomats say the sanctions can be lifted if the situation in eastern Ukraine improves.