UPDATED 8:37 AM PT – Thursday, March 18, 2021
Russia has recalled its ambassador in Washington, D.C. over the latest U.S. sanctions on mutual trade. On Wednesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry called its U.S. ambassador, Anatoly Antonov, back to Moscow for consultations amid the latest fallout in mutual ties.
The move came after the U.S. Commerce Department slapped sanctions on technology exports to Russia. Additionally, the Biden administration has attempted to revive the Russia hoax by alleging Russian meddling in 2020 election while ignoring the meddling by China and Iran.
💬 #Zakharova: #Russia’s Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov has been summoned to Moscow for consultations in order to analyse what needs to be done in the context of relations with the #US 🇷🇺🇺🇸https://t.co/NoQJ5BwZO7#RussiaUSA pic.twitter.com/oMMb6kslI9
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) March 17, 2021Biden claimed souring ties may help the Russian opposition, but in reality they appear to fortify the Kremlin’s resolve.
“Western politicians keep calling those sanctions anti-Russian and words matter a lot in politics,” stated Russian opposition lawmaker Ilya Yashin. “So, even if western politicians, diplomats and officials keep calling those sanctions anti-Russian, it is easier for Putin to persuade Russian society that those sanctions are anti-Russian.”
The Kremlin has signaled possible retaliation against the U.S., which will eventually come at the expense of the Russian people.
“So, I would like to ask representatives of the EU to correct their rhetoric and to call these sanctions by their real names: anti-oligarch, anti-Kremlin, anti-put in and not anti-Russian,” Yashin continued.
Original Story: Russia recalls ambassador after sanctions, meddling claims