Russian minister accuses U.S. of using sanctions to unseat Putin

MOSCOW, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Russian deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov alleged that U.S.-imposed sanctions against Russia were intended to unseat President Vladimir Putin, ITAR-TASS reported.

"The fact is not concealed that the sanctions' aim is to create social and economic conditions to carry out the regime change in Russia, Ryabkov told Russia's lower house of Parliament on Monday.

Russia has been accused by the West of inciting unrest in eastern Ukraine, and supplying both military equipment and personnel to the rebels in their battle against the Ukrainian government. The European Union and United States have imposed successive sanctions on Russia in response to its aggression toward Ukraine

"I am unprepared to say if we are witnessing to a return of the Cold War or for how long the current state of affairs will persist," said Ryabkov, adding "One thing I know for certain: getting out of the current situation the U.S. sanctions have produced will take many years."

Moscow warned Dec. 2 of a pending recession and the Russian ruble fell to a new low amid cheap oil prices and sanctions pressure.