Putin: Sanctions could hamper peace efforts

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday new Western sanctions against Russia are intended to disrupt peace efforts in eastern Ukraine and that Moscow is considering retaliatory measures.

Speaking to journalists after a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Putin said the sanctions looked "a bit strange" in view of the peace drive including a cease-fire.

"When the situation is moving toward a peaceful resolution, steps are taken which are aimed at disrupting the peace process," said Putin in Dushanbe, capital of Tajikistan.