Russia vows "harsh" response to EU sanctions

Russia has vowed a "harsh" response to the European sanctions that will be imposed on it, stressing that these sanctions will "not prevent" Moscow from providing its aid to the separatists loyal to it in the war on Ukraine.

"In accordance with the principle of reciprocity, which is the basis of international law, we will take harsh countermeasures," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

He added that "the unfriendly measures taken by the European Union against Russia (...) will not prevent the gradual development" of relations between Moscow and the separatists in Ukraine and "provide them with assistance."

Westerners are preparing Thursday to impose major economic sanctions on Russia, specifically targeting its access to European and American markets.

The European Union has imposed "restrictions" on the financing capabilities of the Russian state, its government and the Russian Central Bank.

For its part, Berlin this week suspended the operation of the new strategic gas pipeline linking Russia with Germany, bypassing Ukraine.

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