In a bold move, Russia has signaled a strong response to recent U.S. sanctions targeting Russian journalists. 🇷🇺🔄🇺🇸
Russian Ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, declared on Wednesday that Moscow reserves the right to take asymmetric measures in retaliation.
\"We reserve the right to respond asymmetrically, strictly in line with Russia's national interests,\" Antonov told TASS news agency.
The ambassador emphasized that Russia is thoroughly assessing the U.S. sanctions, including undisclosed visa restrictions imposed by the U.S. State Department.
Antonov expressed concerns over the ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to suppress alternative viewpoints presented by Russian media outlets.
\"The attempts to stifle the voices of Russian media, which offer much-needed perspectives in the United States, are likely to persist. I do not foresee an improvement in this situation anytime soon,\" he remarked.
He criticized the tit-for-tat sanctions exchange, especially those targeting the media, stating it does nothing to stabilize or bring predictability to bilateral relations.
\"The cycle of retaliatory sanctions, now extending to journalists, serves no good purpose,\" Antonov added.
With the U.S. presidential election on the horizon 🗳️, Antonov noted a growing tendency by U.S. authorities to play the \"Russia card.\" 🎴
\"There is confusion in their narrative – either Russia is meddling in U.S. affairs, or it's failing in its attempts,\" he said. \"The heightened anti-Russian hysteria, particularly directed at journalists, appears to be part of a broader strategy to undermine the legitimacy of the election outcome.\"
On September 4, the U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of RT, along with two of her deputies. Additionally, the State Department tightened regulations on the operations of Russian media outlets, including Russia Today, RIA Novosti, RT, TV-Novosti, Ruptly, and Sputnik.
This escalating tension between the two nations highlights the complex dynamics at play as both sides brace for potential fallout. 🌐💥
Reference(s):
Russia holds right to asymmetric response to U.S. journalist sanctions
cgtn.com
