Russia does not intend to publish new blacklists of Western citizens who may be targeted in sanctions as result of the Ukraine crisis, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Saturday, according to Interfax.
Moscow said on Friday that Russia has retaliated against expanded sanctions imposed by Western countries over its annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region but it did not name any U.S. or European Union officials affected.
Ryabkov said on Saturday that Russia did not intend to copy Western counterparts and would not publish lists, Interfax said.
The U.S. and the EU have imposed two rounds of visa bans and asset freezes on Russian officials, lawmakers and other allies of President Vladimir Putin, to punish Moscow for what Western states say is the illegal seizure of Crimea.
Russia earlier in March imposed sanctions on nine U.S. officials and lawmakers and said it was barring 13 Canadian officials, lawmakers and public figures from the country.
Ryabkov also said fundamental differences remain between Russia and the U.S. over Ukraine but a search was underway to find common ground, "which could ultimately be offered to Ukrainians," Interfax reported.
"This is the essence of what is now taking place in the dialogue between Moscow and Washington," Interfax reported hin as saying.
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