April 30, 2014 By Citizen M

RA’s Daily Russia News Blast – April 30, 2014

Ukraine-Slavyansk_2895573bTODAY: Moscow mulls retaliatory sanctions; Gazprom warns of possible export disruption; Luhansk latest city in Ukraine to fall to Russian separatists; tight new blogging laws; fire kills 10 at arms depot.

The Foreign Ministry has asserted that Moscow retains the right to respond to sanctions imposed by Washington, but cooperation between the two countries is still possible.  President Vladimir Putin has apparently stated that Russia does not consider a need for retaliatory sanctions against the West, but may reconsider the participation of Western companies in its economy, including energy projects.  Gazprom has warned that sanctions could potentially disrupt gas exports to Europe.  The sanctions and unrest in Ukraine are starting to affect some U.S. companies which are active in the region, says the Moscow Times.  Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has warned that the measures could affect the International Space Station, which is currently hosting U.S. astronauts.