Russian FM Lavrov warns further sanctions will force Russia 'to think what we can do in return'

MOSCOW, May 15 (UPI) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov cautioned Wednesday that further sanctions against Russia over the crisis in Ukraine could prompt Russia to pursue retaliatory measures.

In an interview with Bloomberg Television, Lavrov said, "If the West continues these absolutely non-professional hysterical policies, we would have to think what we can do in return."

It was unclear what Russia would "do in return" but Lavrov claimed, "We are not looking for confrontation ..."

He chastised the West for issuing sanctions that he described as "based on the desire to get revenge" and "not professional."

The White House has explained that the U.S. and European Union's sanctions against Russia were imposed in response to "Russia's continued illegal intervention in Ukraine."