Russia's foreign ministry signaled that it would retaliate against the U.S. in response to newly imposed sanctions and the U.K. over its decision to expel Russian diplomats, according to Reuters.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said March 16 that Moscow will expand its "black list" of Americans, a day after the U.S. hit Russian entities and individuals with sanctions over alleged cyberattacks and meddling in the 2016 presidential elections, Reuters said, citing the state-run RIA news agency.
Ryabkov did not elaborate on the blacklist but said the Russian government would apply the principle of parity in its response to the U.S. sanctions, while not ruling out extra measures. He added that Moscow intends to maintain a dialogue with Washington, while warning that people in the U.S. seeking to damage relations with Russia are playing with fire, according to Reuters' account of the RIA report.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said March 16 that Moscow will eject British diplomats in reaction to Prime Minister Theresa May's March 14 expulsion of 23 Russian diplomats following an alleged nerve agent attack in the city of Salisbury that left an ex-spy and his daughter in critical condition, Reuters reported separately.
"We will, of course," Lavrov responded when asked by Reuters if Russia will expel British diplomats, without providing further details.
