Russia ready for new sanctions over Ukraine: Medvedev

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Tuesday that Russia is ready to face a new round of Western sanctions over Ukraine.

According to AFP, he in a televised speech to parliament said, “I am sure we will be able to minimize their consequences.”

Russia’s Prime Minister added, “The government is ready to act in conditions when the priority of our work becomes protecting the economy and citizens from such unfriendly acts that could follow due to the escalating foreign policy situation.”

However, he acknowledged Russia’s economy was facing an “unprecedented challenge”.

Medvedev also said Russia views sanctions as a “road to nowhere,” while insisting that the country was ready to function in isolation if necessary.

He went on to say, “We can of course keep on exchanging blacklists. But I don’t even consider it necessary to prove from this podium that it’s an absolute dead-end.”