US Secretary of State calls Lavrov to inform about new sanctions against Russia
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held a telephone conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, during which he announced Washington’s intention to impose additional sanctions against the Russian Federation, reported the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
“In connection with the US Secretary of State’s intention to impose additional sanctions on Russia under the absolutely unproven excuse of last year’s turbid story of the alleged “poisoning” of S.B. Skripal and his daughter, who have not been seen by anybody ever since, S.V. Lavrov said that that this unwarranted move of Washington will only aggravate the situation in bilateral relations and the atmosphere in the whole world,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
It was also noted that Lavrov "warned the United States against any interference in the internal affairs of Venezuela, including the use of force." He expressed readiness to hold consultations on this topic within the framework of the principles of the UN Charter.
Pompeo and Lavrov discussed the situation in Syria and agreed on the need to continue bilateral dialogue aimed at implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
"The parties also exchanged views on the recent contacts between representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry and the US State Department on the situation around the Korean Peninsula and the goal to advance the reconciliation in Afghanistan," the report said.
On January 21, the EU Council decided to impose sanctions against nine Russians and one legal entity for use of chemical weapons. In December 2018, the USA also imposed sanctions against Boshirov and Petrov (Russian agents suspected of poisoning Skripal and his daughter). In addition, 16 more people, most of whom are related to the GRU (Main Intelligence Directorate of Russian Army), fell under sanctions.