MOSCOW, March 4 (Reuters) - Russia said on Tuesday
that it would retaliate if the United States imposed sanctions over Moscow's
actions in Ukraine.
"We will have to respond," Foreign
Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said in a statement. "As always
in such situations, provoked by rash and irresponsible actions by Washington,
we stress: this is not our choice."
"We have frequently explained to the Americans
... why unilateral sanctions do not fit the standards of civilised relations
between states," Lukashevich said.
Lukashevich did not describe any measures Moscow
might impose in retaliation but said the Russian response would not necessarily
mirror the U.S. sanctions.
The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee is
consulting the Obama administration on possible measures including visa bans
and asset freezes against individuals, suspension of military cooperation, and
economic sanctions.
In Kiev on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State John
Kerry on Tuesday condemned Russia's "act of aggression" in Ukraine
and said Moscow, which has taken control of the Crimea region, was looking for
a pretext to invade more of the country. (Writing by Steve Gutterman; Editing
by Alistair Lyon)
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