国际英语资讯:Russia slams possible new U.S. sanctions over Kerch Strait incident

MOSCOW, July 19 -- Russia on Friday denounced Washington's intention to impose new sanctions against Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officers over last year's Kerch Strait incident as "pointless and harmful."

"Representatives of American political circles continue to put forward anti-Russian initiatives ... There is no benefit from them, as well as from all other attempts by Washington to put pressure on Russia," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It added that pursuing "narrowly selfish political goals" only aggravates the tense relations between Russia and the United States, which has a major impact on global stability.

Earlier on Friday, Ukraine's Embassy in the United States said on Facebook that a bipartisan bill has recently been submitted to the U.S. House of Representatives on imposing new sanctions against Russia for "illegally holding the crews and ships of the Naval Forces of Ukraine."

The bill says that sanctions will remain in force until Russia releases the seamen and ships, according to the embassy.

"Our position remains unchanged. These are absolutely inefficient and senseless actions that undermine international relations and international law and promote mistrust between countries, especially such countries as Russia and the United States, which are responsible for the state of strategic stability and security," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko was quoted by Sputnik news agency as saying.

Member of the Russian Federation Council's Defense and Security Committee Franz Klintsevich also said the introduction of such sanctions is "absolutely pointless."

"Any provocations against our country -- and the incident in the Kerch Strait was one of them beyond any doubt -- have been suppressed and will continue to be suppressed in the strictest way regardless of any sanctions," Klintsevich was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying.

Meanwhile, he noted that the bill, if passed, could complicate interactions between the special services of Russia and the United States, which would be against Washington's interests.

On Nov. 25, Russia seized three Ukrainian warships and 24 sailors on board near the Kerch Strait connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, accusing them of breaching the Russian border.

Tensions have flared up between Russia and Ukraine following the incident. Moscow has called the incident a provocation, while Kiev denied any wrongdoing.