Expanded Russia sanctions are routine - US

WASHINGTON, June 21 (KUNA) -- The US on Wednesday insisted that the Treasury's sanctioning of 38 Russian entities one day earlier were a routine part of its policy in response to the annexation of Crimea, and not an expansion.
The Treasury's action resulted in the cancelation by the Kremlin of a high-level meeting between US and Russian foreign policy officials.
"We regret that Russia has decided to turn away from an opportunity to discuss bilateral obstacles that hinder US-Russia relations," Heather Nauert, State Department Spokesperson, said in a statement.
"Let's remember that these sanctions didn't just come out of nowhere," she added, noting that "our targeted sanctions were imposed in response to Russia's ongoing violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighbor, Ukraine." "If the Russians seek an end to these sanctions, they know very well the US position," Nauert continued.
"Our sanctions on Russia related (to) Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine will remain in place until Russia fully honors its obligations under the Minsk Agreements," she said. (end) ys.ma