JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin skipped congratulations on the 246th anniversary of the independence of the United States, amid strained relations between the two countries, with the invasion of Ukraine in the spotlight.
July 4 marks Independence Day in the United States, a federal holiday that commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress.
In that regard, Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be congratulating US President Joe Biden and Americans on Independence Day this year, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
Peskov explained, the reason was "the fact that this year was the culmination of a hostile policy towards our country on the part of the United States of America."
"Therefore, of course, under these conditions, it can hardly be considered appropriate to send such a congratulatory message," Peskov said, quoted by Sputnik News July 5.
It is known, since Russia recognized the independence of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and the Lugansk People's Republic (LDR), President Putin launched a special military operation in February to help them defend themselves against Ukrainian attacks, demilitarization and denazification.
In reaction, the United States and Western countries imposed stringent sanctions against officials, business individuals, and entities linked to Moscow.
Restrictions range from airspace closures to sanctions targeting individuals, banks, businesses and state-owned companies. The US has barred Russia from making debt payments, banned imports of Russian oil, gas and gold, and introduced a ban on exports of dual-use and luxury goods to Russia, among others.
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