Medvedev: Sanctions May Count As 'Aggressive Act'-IFX

Russia's state-run IFX reporting that former president and deputy chairman of the security council Dmitry Medvedev has stated that Western sanctions against Russia may count as an 'aggressive act'.

• Comes as the EU has signed off on its latest round of sanctions, banning the import of Russian coal from August, barring Russian ships from EU ports, and hitting four Russian banks. Comes in the wake of similar (and indeed stronger) sanctions imposed by the US and UK in recent days.
• Unclear at present what response Kremlin could seek to take if it does deem the sanctions an 'aggressive act', with a cutting off of gas supplies to the West likely to cause a major escalation in already heightened tensions (as well as place more economic pressure on Russia).