MojNews_ Russia's ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, reacted to Washington's move to impose new sanctions on Moscow over developments in Ukraine and to Russia's recognition of the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk.

According to Sputnik, Antonov said:

There is no doubt that the sanctions imposed on us will hit the financial and energy markets hard. The United States will not give up, and ordinary citizens will feel the full consequences of rising prices.

The United States has announced its first sanctions against Moscow over recent developments in Ukraine and Russia's move to recognize the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk from Ukraine.

US Treasury Department sanctions have targeted Russian banks and several Russian officials. The Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs, Vonche Econombank, and Russia's Promsvyazbank were placed on the US sanctions list, claiming to play a significant role in financing Russia's public and defense budgets.

The US Treasury Department released the names of three Russian businessmen and their family members and placed them on the sanctions list. The ministry claimed that the embargoed individuals belonged to the inner circle of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia's ambassador to the United States has warned Washington that imposing sanctions on Russia will not solve any problems. Antonov said:

It is hard to imagine anyone in Washington hoping that Russia would change its foreign policy by tightening sanctions.

He added:

I do not remember a single day that our country lived without the restrictions imposed by the West. We have learned to work in such conditions not only to survive but also to develop our country.