Spokeswoman of Russia's Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova speaks to the media after a joint press conference of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioglu in Moscow, Russia March 11, 2025. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/Pool/File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that a newly announced Japan's sanctions against Russia are "unfriendly" and warned that they "will not go unanswered."

Last week Japan expanded its sanctions in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, targeting additional individuals and entities and lowering the price cap on Russian oil.

"Japan's latest unfriendly actions will not go unanswered, but our response will be well thought out and based on national interests. We will continue to take appropriate countermeasures, including those of an asymmetric nature," Zakharova said.

(Reporting by Dmitry AntonovWriting by Maxim Rodionov)