- Title: Russians back Putin's response to U.S. sanctions
- Date: 30th December 2016
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (DECEMBER 30, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF NEW YEAR DECORATIONS IN FRONT OF KREMLIN NEW YEAR DECORATIONS IN FRONT OF BOLSHOI THEATRE PEOPLE WALKING NEAR FOUNTAIN (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, NIKOLAI, SAYING: "I think it is impossible to weaken Russia with such sanctions or to harm (Donald) Trump. It seems nothing serious to me. I think he (current U.S. President Barack Obama) will not harm Russia, and he will not harm Trump, it is all useless. I think it is already his final convulsion." PEOPLE SITTING BY FOUNTAIN (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, ANNA, SAYING: "It is an unfriendly (move) and it is sad that the leaders of our countries do not manage to come to an agreement. Let us hope next year there will be a new stage in our relations, as two such big countries should be able to come to an agreement." PEOPLE IN STREET (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, DARYA, SAYING: "(Russia not sending out U.S. diplomats) is a plus as no one needs more of this hysteria on our part and on the American part." PEOPLE IN STREET RUSSIAN PARLIAMENT NEW YEAR DECORATIONS ON PARLIAMENT
- Embargoed: 14th January 2017 17:20
- Keywords: Russia U.S. sanctions diplomats expeled diplomats cyber attack
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0025F2SZEV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3 / WHITE FLASH TO SEPARATE SOUNDBITES
Muscovites voiced support on Friday (December 30) for President Vladimir Putin's refrained response to the U.S. expulsion of 35 suspected Russian spies.
Putin said he would wait for the actions of Donald Trump, who takes office on January 20, before responding.
U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday ordered the expulsion of 35 Russians and imposed sanctions on two Russian intelligence agencies over their involvement in hacking political groups in the U.S. presidential election.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said officials "took into account very seriously the question of how our American colleagues would feel".
Moscow residents walking along the brightly decorated city streets said they saw no point in Obama's decision.
"I think he (current U.S. President Barack Obama) will not harm Russia, and he will not harm Trump, it is all useless," said Nikolai.
It was not clear whether Trump, who has repeatedly praised Putin and nominated people seen as friendly toward Moscow to senior administration posts, would seek to roll back the measures.
Russian officials have portrayed the sanctions as a last act of a lame-duck president and suggested that Trump could reverse them when he takes over the White House. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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