Kremlin: Russia expects EU’s sanctions targeting diamonds

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said that the authorities expected the EU to impose sanctions targeting Russian diamonds, however, there are options to circumvent the restrictions.

Peskov made these remarks during a briefing, Gazeta.ru reports.

“We expected the EU’s new sanctions. There are options to circumvent the sanctions and they will be implemented,” he said.

The Kremlin representative stressed that the authorities in this situation will do their best to protect the interests of the country.

Peskov also noted that the EU included the Russian “Znanie” Society on the list as part of the 12th package of sanctions.

“This testifies to madness due to sanctions,” he said.

Meanwhile, Peskov underlined that Russia is not taking part in Operation Guardian of Prosperity in the Red Sea.

The operation was announced by the Pentagon the day before and is being conducted to protect ships from attacks by Yemeni Houthis.

"We are not taking part in this operation," the Kremlin spokesman said during a press call in response to a question about the Kremlin's attitude toward Western action.

In December, Yemen's Houthi rebels twice attacked a Norwegian tanker in the Red Sea. The U.S. has since requested Norway's help in dealing with the situation.

According to the Pentagon, the multinational operation to protect ships in the Red Sea will involve Britain, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Seychelles.