WASHINGTON, 7 Apr. The United States, in an attempt to make it difficult for Russia to service its public debt, wants to tarnish its reputation, said Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov. Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing a representative of the US Treasury Department, that Washington would not allow dollar payments on Russia's sovereign debt in American banks.
"We see in these efforts a desire to tarnish the reputation of Russia, which, despite the economic barriers being built by Washington, continues to fulfill its debt obligations in good faith and on time", Antonov said, answering questions from the media.< /p>He noted that with the new sanctions, Washington «continues to harm the global economy», and also «undermines the opportunities of foreign partners for mutually beneficial cooperation» with Russia and «leaves foreign business without the income necessary in the current period of economic turbulence.» The ambassador also called American sanctions against Sberbank and Alfa-Bank with a direct blow to ordinary citizens R Russia. The United States on Wednesday expanded restrictions on Russia, including 18 individuals and dozens of companies, including those associated with Sberbank and Alfa Bank, on the sanctions list. The West increased pressure on Russia after the start of military operations in Ukraine. Large state-owned banks were disconnected from the SWIFT system, many companies announced a freeze on their current activities in the country or about leaving the Russian market. The European Union is also discussing the rejection of Russian energy imports.