Kremlin leaves door open for dialogue; lays out counter-sanctions to U.S. envoy

The Kremlin unveiled retaliatory measures to the U.S ambassador to Moscow, denouncing Washington’s latest round of sanctions as “unacceptable” though leaving the door open to conversation.

The United States, in response, to Moscow’s suspected involvement in last year’s U.S. election and other allegations, on Thursday blacklisted Russian companies, expelled Russian diplomats and barred U.S. banks from buying sovereign bonds from Russia’s central bank, national wealth fund and Finance Ministry. 

The allegations include cyber hacking, bullying Ukraine and other alleged malign actions, all of which Russia denies.

The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin would decide how Moscow would retaliate, reaffirming that the nuclear powers were worlds apart on the sanctions question, although stating that Moscow, like Washington, is interested in cooperation.

“Our response (to sanctions) will be formed in the time frame, and in the way that the president considers appropriate,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.”The sanctions addiction of our counterparts remains unacceptable.”

U.S. President Biden has proposed that he and Putin meet for a summit in a move to de-escalate the tensions that arose after sanctions were announced on Thursday. He announced that it was vital the White House and Kremlin kept communication lines open.

The Russian markets saw volatility for weeks after sanctions were announced, prompting the fall of the national currency, the Rouble.