MOSCOW, December 24 (RIA Novosti) – Moscow finds it "regrettable" that US "domestic politics" are influencing its relations with Russia, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview released on Monday.
“I think, the Republicans decided to have this trick and hinge the removal of Jackson-Vanick to the Magnitsky Act,” Lavrov told the English-language broadcaster RT, referring to the recently approved legislation that imposes sanctions on Russian officials accused of human rights violations.
The move is aimed at US President Barack Obama, whose administration has been working on the “reset” with Russia for four years, he added.
Lavrov noted that the US could have taken measures "without any PR campaigns."
"If they wanted to freeze anyone's assets, they could do so simply by going to court and presenting evidence," Lavrov said.
