EU Could Become ‘Victim’ of US’ Anti-Russia Sanctions: Envoy

UNITED NATIONS-The European Union could become a victim of sanctions that are targeting Russia, newly appointed Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nebenzya told reporters on Friday, according to Sputnik.

On Thursday, US Senate approved a bill that would impose sweeping sanctions on Russia and seeks, in particular, to target companies that invest in Russian energy projects. The bill now has to be either signed or vetoed by US President Donald Trump.

 France and Germany have so far spoken out against the bill as it affects European industries while advancing US commercial interests.

“[The] European Union can become the victim of anti-Russia sanctions,” Nebenzya told reporters.

The Russian authorities were forced to implement countermeasures to the new US sanctions but intend to find ways to cooperate with Washington, he said.

“We have been waiting for a while, but our patience has reached its end point. We were forced to reciprocate,” Nebenzya said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry suspended the use of all US Embassy warehouses and its compound in Moscow and also offered the US to cut down the number of its diplomatic staff in Russia to 455 people by September 1. Moreover, the ministry said that it reserves the reciprocal right to hit US interests in response to the US sanctions bill.

The envoy noted, however, that Moscow would try to find ways to cooperate with Washington and improve bilateral ties.

The relations between the United States and Russia have reached the bottom and the two nations need to improve ties, he added.

“We are now at the bottom of the relationship with [the] US,” Nebenzya told reporters. “We need each other and our relations are at the lowest point.”

Nebenzya told reporters on Friday he plans to meet with his US colleague Nikki Haley in the very near future.

Syria’s De-Escalation Zones

On Syria, Nebenzya expressed hope that the established de-escalation zones in Syria would serve as a step toward mitigating the conflict in that country.

“I hope this is the prologue to mitigate the conflict in Syria,” Nebenzya told reporters when asked about the creation of the de-escalation zones.

Unprecedented threats

Earlier, Nebenzya warned against “unprecedented threats” against the global community, stressing Moscow’s determination to help resolve the existing challenges.

“Today the world faces unprecedented threats and challenges, and Russia, as a permanent member of the Security Council, will continue contributing constructively to addressing those challenges together with the international community,” Vassily Nebenzya told UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Friday as he submitted his credentials.

The veteran Russian diplomat also underlined Moscow’s commitment to peace, development and human rights.

In addition, Nebenzya delivered a speech at the 193-member UN General Assembly, calling for collective efforts at a global level to fight against extremist and terrorist groups.

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree appointing then-Deputy Foreign Minister Nebenzya as Russia’s permanent representative to the United Nations and the UN Security Council.

Nebenzya succeeds longtime Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, who passed away in February following a heart attack. Churkin, 64, had served as Russia’s UN envoy for over a decade.

H.M