Peskov: Russia cannot afford to let US off the hook for its adverse actions

The Kremlin says it regrets unfriendly steps by the United States towards Russia but Moscow cannot leave them unanswered, the presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"We regret the unconstructive stance taken by our counterparts in the United States and, of course, we cannot afford to leave unfriendly, and sometimes hostile steps towards us without retaliation," TASS cited him as saying.

Peskov recalled that Russia had never initiated crises or restrictions in bilateral relations, but invariably remained opposed to them. "President Putin systematically reiterates Moscow’s wish to build a good-natured relationship, based on the principles of mutual benefit and mutual trust," he stressed, noting that this is Vladimir Putin’s consistent policy.

The presidential spokesman noted that Russia is for good-natured relations with the United States. "Moreover, we believe that these relations must be advanced in the interests of peace and global stability and in the interests of settling crucial world and regional problems," Peskov concluded.