Russian diplomat slams 'destructive' US stance
Accusing US administration of taking "destructive" stance in relations, he warned of retaliation
MOSCOW: (AP) - A senior Russian diplomat has accused the U.S. administration of taking a "destructive" stance in bilateral relations and warned that Moscow could retaliate.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Friday that Secretary of State John Kerry breached "diplomatic ethics" when he told U.S. lawmakers earlier this week that Russian officials had lied to him about support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. Ryabkov added in remarks carried by Russian news agencies that Washington "lacks moral right" to make such judgment.
Ukraine and the West have accused Russia of backing the rebels with troops and weapons. Moscow denies that, and Ryabkov again dismissed the U.S. accusations as "absolutely unfounded" and "unacceptable."
He warned that Moscow could retaliate to potential new U.S. sanctions with "quite painful countermeasures," but wouldn t necessarily make them public.
