Washington-Sana
Russia's ambassador to Washington, Anatoly Antonov, stressed that US attempts to hold a dialogue with Russia "through sanctions" are unacceptable and violate international law.
And the Russian TASS news agency quoted Antonov as saying, commenting on the statements of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken regarding the new restrictions related to the (North Stream 2) gas pipeline, that the US administration, whether it is a Republican or a Democrat, “has been working for several years to complicate Russian-European cooperation in the energy field, as They initially tried to disrupt the completion of the pipeline construction, but that did not work, so they are now seeking to delay the start of the pipeline, and this is accompanied by simultaneous calls for Russia to increase energy supplies to Europe to reduce the consequences of the fuel crisis.”
"We consider all attempts against Russian oil and gas exports to Europe as unfair competition that undermines the principles of the free market," Antonov added, stressing that "Moscow categorically rejects the accusations against Russia's energy policy."
Antonov considered that Blinken's statements "show Washington's lack of respect for its allies who wish to build long-term, mutually beneficial cooperation with Moscow, which has proven in practice that it is a trustworthy partner in the energy field."
Blinken said yesterday that his department has submitted a report to Congress on the basis of the European Energy Security Protection Act to impose sanctions on work on the (Nord Stream 2) project.