Russia has signaled it may take asymmetric measures in response to recent U.S. sanctions targeting Russian journalists, escalating tensions between the two nations. Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov stated on Wednesday that Moscow reserves the right to respond in a manner strictly aligned with Russia’s national interests.
“We reserve the right to respond asymmetrically, strictly in line with Russia’s national interests,” Antonov was quoted by TASS news agency.
The ambassador emphasized that Russia would thoroughly assess the U.S. sanctions, including undisclosed visa restrictions imposed by the U.S. State Department. He expressed concerns over the United States’ continued efforts to suppress alternative viewpoints presented by Russian media outlets.
“The attempts to stifle the voices of Russian media, which offer much-needed perspectives in the United States, are likely to persist. I do not foresee an improvement in this situation anytime soon,” Antonov remarked.
Retaliatory Sanctions and Media Freedom
Antonov criticized the ongoing tit-for-tat exchange of sanctions between Russia and the United States, particularly those targeting journalists and media organizations.
“The cycle of retaliatory sanctions, now extending to journalists, serves no good purpose. It does nothing to stabilize or bring predictability to our bilateral relations,” he said.
The ambassador’s comments come after the U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of RT, along with two of her deputies on September 4. The U.S. State Department also tightened regulations on the operations of Russian media outlets, including Russia Today, RIA Novosti, RT, TV-Novosti, Ruptly, and Sputnik.
Election Interference Claims and Rising Tensions
With the U.S. presidential election approaching, Antonov noted a growing tendency by U.S. authorities to play the “Russia card.”
“There is confusion in their narrative – either Russia is meddling in U.S. affairs, or it’s failing in its attempts,” he observed. “The heightened anti-Russian hysteria, particularly directed at journalists, appears to be part of a broader strategy to undermine the legitimacy of the election outcome.”
Antonov warned that the escalating restrictions against Russian media could contribute to further deterioration of relations and hamper open dialogue between the two nations.
Looking Ahead
The ambassador’s statements highlight the increasing strain in Russia-U.S. relations, particularly concerning media freedom and the exchange of information. As both countries continue to impose sanctions and countermeasures, the prospect of improved bilateral relations remains uncertain.
Observers are watching closely to see how Russia will respond to the latest U.S. actions and whether any asymmetric measures will be taken to assert its national interests.
Reference(s):
Russia holds right to asymmetric response to U.S. journalist sanctions
cgtn.com
