Updated 9:54 p.m. Moscow Time
SOCHI, October 23 (RIA Novosti) – Attempts to isolate Russia are futile, as real sanctions could be imposed only by the United Nations (UN), while the rest is pure pressure, Kremlin chief of staff Sergei Ivanov said Thursday.
"You know, maybe it sounds a little harsh, but I really think so – it is impossible to isolate Russia, and the world is not going to do so. It is not the entire world that is isolating us. So-called sanctions are imposed [on Russia]. I say 'so-called' because real sanctions could only be imposed by the UN Security Council, and the rest is pure pressure, not sanctions," Ivanov said.
Western countries have introduced several rounds of sanctions against Russia, accusing Moscow of escalating the crisis in Ukraine, although Russia has repeatedly denied the allegations. The sanctions implemented by the United States, the European Union and some other countries target certain individuals, as well as Russia's largest banks, defense and energy companies.
Russia has consistently expressed its support for the peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis and pointed out it was not involved in the conflict. Moscow called the language of sanctions counterproductive and said that such restrictive measures posed a threat to international stability.
