Russia promises retaliation in event of new US sanctions

MOSCOW

Russia on Dec. 28 promised retaliation against Washington in the event of new economic sanctions. 
“To be honest, we are tired of lie about the ‘Russian hackers,’ which is being poured down in the United States from the very top,” Reuters quoted Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying. 

She also called reports of possible new sanctions a “provocation directed by the White House.” 
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Dec. 28 suggested that the United States and Russia lay to rest the controversy over Moscow’s computer hacking of Democratic Party computers, saying, “We ought to get on with our lives.” 

Trump has cast doubt on the findings of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russian hackers took information from Democratic Party computers and individuals and posted it online to help Trump win the election. 

The Obama administration were set to announce a series of retaliatory measures against Russia for hacking into U.S. political institutions and individuals and leaking information on Dec. 29, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Dec. 28.  

Asked by reporters if the United States should sanction Russia, Trump replied: “I think we ought to get on with our lives. I think that computers have complicated lives very greatly. The whole age of computer has made it where nobody knows exactly what’s going on.” 

Trump made his remarks at Mar-a-Lago, his seaside Florida resort where he is spending the Christmas and New Year’s holidays while also interviewing candidates for administration jobs. 

Trump said he was not familiar with remarks earlier on Dec. 28 by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who said Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin should expect tough sanctions for the cyber attacks. 

“We have speed. We have a lot of other things but I’m not sure you have the kind of security that you need. But I have not spoken with the senators and I certainly will be over a period of time,” he said.