UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) — On Thursday, US Senate approved a bill that would impose sweeping sanctions on Russia and seeks, in particular, to target companies that invest in Russian energy projects. The bill now has to be either signed or vetoed by US President Donald Trump.
France and Germany have so far spoken out against the bill as it affects European industries while advancing US commercial interests.
"[The] European Union can become the victim of anti-Russia sanctions," Nebenzya told reporters.
"We have been waiting for a while, but our patience has reached its end point. We were forced to reciprocate," Nebenzya said.
The envoy noted, however, that Moscow would try to find ways to cooperate with Washington and improve bilateral ties.
The relations between the United States and Russia have reached the bottom and the two nations need to improve ties, he added.
"We are now at the bottom of the relationship with [the] US," Nebenzya told reporters. "We need each other and our relations are at the lowest point."
Nebenzya told reporters on Friday he plans to meet with his US colleague Nikki Haley in the very near future.
"As soon as possible," Nebenzya said in response to a question about meeting with Haley. "We plan to meet in the coming days."
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree appointing then-Deputy Foreign Minister Nebenzya as Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations and the UN Security Council.
