Russian President Vladimir Putin- Photo:AFP

(VOVworld)- Russia won't rush to retaliate against sanctions imposed upon it in the wake of the Ukraine crisis but will consider Western companies’ participation in the Russian economy, especially in energy if the sanctions continue. Russian President Vladimir Putin was speaking on Tuesday in Minsk, Belarus on the sidelines of a regional summit. Speaking to reporters, President Putin warned that US sanctions would negatively impact American energy companies in Russia. Putin reiterated that there were neither Russian experts nor special task force in Ukraine.

In related news, the UN Security Council on Tuesday discussed the tension in eastern Ukraine. Deputy Secretary General of the UN in charge of political issues Jeffrey Feltman said that parties involved in the political crisis in Ukraine must abide by the agreement reached in Geneva on April 17 and move toward a political and diplomatic solution for this country.