Russia says hopes Washington understands futility of sanctions

(L-R) Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, Luxembourg counterpart Jean Asselborn and German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier attend an extraordinary European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels January 29, 2015. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's Foreign Ministry said it hoped the United States would realise the "futility" of sanctions and that Moscow would respond harshly to any attack against Russia.

"One would like to hope that the United States, which has played around too much with sanctions, will finally realise the futility of such a policy. We once again confirm that from now on we will react harshly to any attack against Russia," the ministry said in a statement.