US sanctions aim to squeeze Russian firms out of global markets – Kremlin spokesman

Sanctions against Russia are taking on an obsessive form and are aimed at driving Russian companies from international markets, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, responding to questions on possible further penalties.

On Sunday, the US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said that the White House is planning to introduce a fresh round of sanctions against Moscow later on Monday. The new punitive steps will reportedly be in response to Russia’s alleged “aggressive actions” in Syria.

“Any economist can easily understand that sanctions are attempts to drive Russian corporations from international markets,” Peskov told journalists.

The punitive measures cannot be connected to the situation in Syria or anything else, according to the official. “It's nothing more than economic raiding,” Peskov added.

The spokesman stressed that US sanctions violate international law and regulations established by the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Russian government will continue to strive for economic stability, according to Peskov.

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