MOSCOW (AP) -- Russia's President Vladimir Putin says a U.S. bill imposing sanctions on Russian officials accused of human rights violations is "unfriendly" and is hurting Russian-American relations.
Congress last week passed a bill imposing sanctions on Russian officials accused of human rights violations. The Russians have bristled at the bill, which they interpret as U.S. intervention in Moscow's domestic affairs.
The Russian parliament has vowed to retaliate and blacklist U.S. citizens suspected of committing crimes against Russian citizens.
In remarks carried by Russian news agencies Putin on Thursday described the U.S. bill "a politicized and unfriendly act." He also lauded the Russian parliament's planned response and said the reaction should be "appropriate."
