ST PETERSBURG, May 23 (RIA Novosti) — Responsive measures by Russia against the European Union’s sanctions exist, but Moscow is not voicing them, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexei Meshkov told RIA Novosti on the sidelines of an economic forum in St. Petersburg on Friday.
"In regard to sanctions, our position is known. That’s not our way. But, of course, we believe that we have definite responsive measures that we are not voicing," Meshkov said.
"Business is that particular circle that is least of all interested in cutting off contacts and the least interested in any sort of sanctions because right now there is a complex economic situation in Europe and, naturally, in expanding contacts and any kind of new projects both sides win," he said.
Official US and EU sanctions against Russia, imposed in relation to the situation around Ukraine and Crimea, have so far remained targeted and consist of government-approved lists of individuals and companies facing visa bans and asset freezes.
Another sign of worsening economic and political relations between Russia and the West was the withdrawal of several Western companies from the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), an annual gathering of political and business leaders, which takes place in Russia's northern capital on May 22-24.
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