MOSCOW, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Sanctions against Russia over its recent military actions in Georgia would harm the European Union more than they would Russia, a Russian ambassador said.
Russian Ambassador to Britain Yuri Fedotov was quoted by BBC on Sunday as saying "any sanctions (would) hurt the European Union first of all much more than Russia."
He added that Russia has "has no intention" to continue its confrontation with the Republic of Georgia.
"But if our partners would prefer to chose another option, of course Russia will reply, will react," Fedotov said.
He made his comments on the eve of an European Union summit, where leaders are expected to consider sanctions against Russia, BBC reported.
For his part, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for a review of relations with Russia to prevent further "Russian aggression." German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said unilateral actions by both Russia and Georgia had worsened the international crisis.
The European Union gets about a quarter of its natural gas from Russia, BBC noted.
