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Russia warns sanctions will backfire on West

30 July 2014 20:54 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. A defiant Russia said Wednesday unprecedented Western sanctions over Ukraine would boomerang back on the United States and lead to energy price hikes in Europe after Brussels and Washington unveiled the toughest punitive measures against Moscow since the Cold War, APA reports quoting AFP.

Russia's response came as the Ukrainian military pushed on with its offensive against pro-Russian rebels in the east, retaking the town of Avdiyivka, only a dozen kilometres (eight miles) from the main rebel city of Donetsk.

The Russian foreign ministry warned the United States it was shooting itself in the foot, saying the US was punishing the Kremlin for "independent policies that Washington finds inconvenient."

Moscow also attacked Brussels for its "inability to play an independent role in world affairs" and added that European consumers will bear the brunt of sanctions targeting Russia's vital energy, arms and energy sectors.

"This is a thoughtless, irresponsible step. It will inevitably lead to an increase in prices on the European energy market," the foreign ministry said.

Russia provided few details of possible retaliation but earlier Wednesday its agricultural watchdog banned the import of all fruit and vegetables from EU member Poland, one of the staunchest supporters of Kiev's pro-Western course.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia was struggling to understand the West's logic, insisting Russia was doing everything to help mediate talks between Ukrainian authorities and Moscow-backed rebels.

"What exactly are our partners seeking?" Russia's top diplomat said on a visit to Tajikistan.

First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov for his part made light of the restrictions, also designed to hit the oligarchs in Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle.

"In for a penny, in for a pound," he quipped to journalists.

The stepped-up sanctions came as Moscow dismissed claims it was responsible for supplying the missile that downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.