By imposing sanctions on Moscow, the US aims to change the political leadership, says the Russian Foreign Ministry, adding that Washington is "twisting the arms" of its allies so that they can continue an "anti-Russian front," reports GHN based on RT.
"Behind the formally-declared aim to make us alter our position towards Ukraine, [we] see the [US] plan to form social and economic conditions to change leadership in Russia," said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov.
According to Ryabkov, first of all Western countries wanted "to punish" Russia for "free will of people in Crimea and [the city of] Sevastopol," who in a March referendum decided to separate from Ukraine and to join Russia.
Then they decided "that Russia has to, according to US opinion, totally change course towards the Kiev authorities and Eastern Ukraine in general, and to re-evaluate its foreign policy," he said.
Ryabkov noted that apart from plans to destabilize Moscow leadership, US are "twisting arms" of their own allies so that they could continue "Anti-Russian front" and follow US policies on sanctions against Russia.
"But the US is not ashamed of insisting on cooperation with us [Russia] on matters affecting its own interests," he said. He used the example of the Iranian nuclear talks, in which both Russia and the US take part.
Ryabkov added that the Kremlin is not planning to start talks with US and its Western allies in order to get the sanctions towards Russia repealed.
He criticized the US resolution strongly condemning Moscow's actions against its neighbors, and labeling them a policy of aggression.
"We see this document as the next step and further elaboration of those tendencies which have recently dominated Washington's policy towards Russia."