Attempts to Isolate Russia Futile: Kremlin

SOCHI, October 23 (RIA Novosti) – Attempts to isolate Russia are futile, as real sanctions could be imposed only by the United Nations (UN), while the rest is pure pressure, Kremlin chief of staff Sergei Ivanov said Thursday.

"You know, maybe it sounds a little harsh, but I really think so – it is impossible to isolate Russia, and the world is not going to do so. It is not the entire world that is isolating us. So-called sanctions are imposed [on Russia]. I say 'so-called' because real sanctions could only be imposed by the UN Security Council, and the rest is pure pressure, not sanctions," Ivanov said.