The Russian government does not intend to “shoot itself in the foot” by imposing restrictions on the export of rare earth metals and nuclear fuel to the United States. During an interview with the newspaper, he said: “News” said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
The diplomat noted that Moscow has many reasons to limit cooperation with Washington. However, the deputy head of the foreign policy department emphasized that taking such decisions only amounts to a show of cruelty against the United States.
“We need to look at the situation as a whole. “We should not shoot ourselves in the foot and inflict economic damage on ourselves,” Ryabkov said.
He added that the best option for Russia at the moment is “some kind of balance in this area.” Still, Moscow is developing a number of measures, including asymmetric ones, to respond to Washington’s harsh sanctions policy, the diplomat noted.
18 November, Slovak Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Juraj Blanar statedthat the republic’s leadership does not support the inclusion of Russian nuclear fuel in the 12th package of Western sanctions. According to him, it is not possible for nuclear power plants in the country to switch to alternative fuel yet.
Formerly Deputy Secretary of Energy Katherine Huff accepted the country’s dependence on Russian uranium.