(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) MOSCOW, Oct 23 (KUNA) -- Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday that Russia's objectives in Ukraine "have not changed", affirming Moscow remains willing to talk with the US despite new sanctions which it described as "ineffective" for peace.
The Ministry's Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a press statement that Russia is ready to continue dialogue with the US State Department "based on understandings reached between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump".
She described the newly announced American sanctions as a repetition of previous US policy under the Joe Biden administration that will have "counterproductive results and exacerbate the situation instead of stabilizing it."
Zakharova added that the 19th EU sanctions package is "ineffective" and is harming the European economy, warning that Moscow "reserves the right to respond in line with its legitimate national interests".
The foreign ministry stressed in its statement that addressing the root causes of the conflict in Ukraine must come before any discussion of a cease-fire, and that Western sanctions will not deter Russia from achieving its legitimate goals in protecting its national security.
She said the Kremlin will soon respond to comments by President Trump about the cancellation of the Russia-US meeting.
The ministry reaffirmed that Russia will continue to defend its interests and will take appropriate measures to ensure its security and stability, and reiterated that dialogue is the only way to resolve the crisis and ensure European and international security. (end)
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