“Duplicating similar destructive decisions by the United States and the EU, official Canberra continues, in line with the notorious Western solidarity, to follow the short-sighted course to undermine bilateral relations. The Russian side will not leave this unfriendly action without a response,” the ministry said.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Moscow has repeatedly emphasised that its actions on 25 November 2018 had been carried out in full compliance with the Russian Constitution and norms of international law which are recognised worldwide.
READ MORE: Russian Embassy in London: UK Ignores Ukraine's Illegal Activity in Kerch Strait
Following in the footsteps of the US, Canada and the EU, the sanctions were imposed by Canberra on 18 March over the Kerch Strait incident. When commenting on the move, the Russian Foreign Ministry said it regretted that Washington and its allies continued to pursue a "disastrous course toward a complete destruction of bilateral relations," adding that Moscow would respond to the new restrictions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called the incident a provocation, noting that there were members of the Ukrainian security service, who were in charge of the operation, on board the Ukrainian vessels.
