U.S. sanctions on Russia are 'hostile,' says Lavrov

MOSCOW, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov chastised the U.S. Congress for passing the Ukraine Freedom Support Act late last week, deeming it a "hostile" act.

Both the House and Senate voted unanimously in favor of the legislation, which authorizes sanctions against Russian weapons exports and oil production imports, and related financial institutions that process the transactions.

"This move by the United States, is of course, hostile," Lavrov said Monday. "The president has the option of signing or not signing the law," telling Interfax that the president's decision would inform Russia's reaction. "Let's base our conduct on concrete actions concerning putting this law into force and its practical enforcement."

Days before Congress voted in favor of the legislation, Lavrov was asked to describe the impact of Western sanctions on Russia. "Sanctions," he responded, "do not make things better for anybody, neither those they are imposed on nor those who impose them."

"Politically, we are not pleased when our partners violate international law and introduce illegitimate restrictions. It is necessary to face up to reality. We will overcome the difficulties that have resulted from the unfriendly actions by the European Union, the U.S. and a number of other states. I can assure you of this."

That recovery may be difficult, as sanctions and a decline in the price of oil have significantly impacted Russia's economy. The Russian ruble on Monday traded at more than 60 to the dollar, weakening by nearly five percent as it sold for 61.25 in Moscow's late trading.

Russia has been accused by Kiev and 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.