RUSSIA RIDICULES U.S. MOVES TO STOP BILATERAL COOPERATION

RUSSIA RIDICULES U.S. MOVES TO STOP BILATERAL COOPERATION

English.news.cn   2014-04-03

“He  played down U.S. decision to stop cooperation with Moscow over anti-missile defense (AMD), saying such cooperation has never existed” Sergei Ryabkov

MOSCOW, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Moscow on Thursday ridiculed recent U.S. moves to sharply reduce cooperation with Russia, saying Washington's decisions harm the United States more than Russia.

"In an attempt to demonstrate its opposition to the free demonstration of will by Crimean population and decisions taken (by Russia) in that connection, Washington cuts off contacts even where the dialogue benefits the United States," Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said in a statement published on the ministry's website.

In mid-March, Ukraine's Republic of Crimea held a referendum followed by the region's accession to Russia. Ukraine and the West do not recognize the results of the landslide vote.

The diplomat described as "ridiculous" the U.S. choice to cancel, among others, meetings of meteorologists, to freeze cooperation between the U.S. and Russian space agencies. He called these moves "childish naughtiness.

"We may recommend our U.S. colleagues to stroll outdoors more often, go in for yoga, eat healthy food, watch comedy episodes on TV. The train has gone. Childish naughtiness, tears, hysteria will not help," the diplomat said.

He also played down U.S. decision to stop cooperation with Moscow over anti-missile defense (AMD), saying such cooperation has never existed.

"In any case, we'll do our best not to let any U.S. attempts weaken Russian nuclear containment," Ryabkov said.

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