Russia vows ‘painful’ response to any US sanctions

Russian lawmakers on Wednesday warned of “precise and painful” consequences for countries that impose sanctions on Moscow.

Reuters reported that Valentina Matvienko, the speaker of the Russian upper house of parliament, called sanctions a “double-edged sword,” and warned that countries that implement penalties against Russia will face consequences.

“Russia’s response to the sanctions, our so-called countersanctions, will be precise, painful and without question sensitive for exactly those countries that imposed them on Russia,” Matvienko said.

{mosads}Russian lawmakers have reportedly written legislation that would allow the government to restrict imports of U.S. goods, though it’s unclear if the Kremlin supports the measure.

The Russian warning comes after the U.S. backed off an initial indication it would impose additional sanctions on Russia for its alleged connection to a chemical attack earlier this month in the Syrian town of Douma.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley said Sunday on “Face the Nation” that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin would announce new sanctions as early as Monday.

However, the White House walked back her comments, and said no final decision had been made. 

Top White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow then said Haley “got confused” when she spoke about the sanctions. He later apologized when Haley retorted, “I don’t get confused.”

After Haley made the initial comments, some Trump allies privately accused Haley — a vocal Russia hawk — of trying to box in the president on a decision. 

Sources close to the White House said Trump, who has at times been hesitant to forcefully criticize Russia, has been reluctant about moving forward with additional sanctions.