US no longer needs pretexts to impose new sanctions against Russia – Zakharova

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that the United States is no longer trying to find any facts in order to use them as a pretext for introducing new sanctions against Russia.

Zakharova announced on the YouTube channel “Soloviev Live”, responding to the statement of the State Department on the preservation of the entire set of restrictions due to the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline after the agreements reached with Germany.

“At the moment, they [the United States] do not even need pretexts [for imposing sanctions against the Russian Federation]. Previously, perhaps some time ago, they had to come up with pretexts. Before that, distorted facts were probably needed. <…> Previously, they needed facts, but then the situation changed rapidly: now they do not need either facts, or distorted facts, or any triggers, or reasons – nothing. If they deem it necessary for themselves, they will continue to distort international law, bilateral agreements, enter and exit them”, – she said.

In the opinion of the Foreign Ministry spokesman, such actions by the United States are not aimed at regaining their former positions, the leading position “which they have appointed for themselves.”

“I think they are no longer trying to find him. I think that they are trying to somehow determine their new place, because the story with a single control center of the Universe did not take place”, – the diplomat emphasized.