MOSCOW. Aug 27 (Interfax) - Washington's decision to impose new sanctions on Russia is part of a deliberate policy of eroding the international structure of arms control and non-proliferation, including with regard to the prohibition of chemical weapons, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Monday.
"We view Washington's decision only as part of a deliberate policy of eroding the international weapons and non-proliferation structure, including in the field of chemical weapons prohibition," Zakharova said, commenting on the new U.S. sanctions in a statement posted on the ministry's website on Monday.
"Unlike the U.S., Russia remains committed to its obligations: we have fully destroyed our chemical weapons capability, as has been duly verified, including by U.S. specialists," Zakharova said.
In making such steps, "Washington is further complicating chances for a dialogue on the problems that exist in multilateral and bilateral formats," she said.
It is unfortunate that the U.S. political elite does not understand that "sanctions cannot make Russia turn off the path it has chosen of firmly defending its national interests," Zakharova said.
"Naturally, such steps by Washington will not be conducive to respectful and civilized bilateral dialogue and interaction, as befits our powers," she said.