The United States is trying, with the help of sanctions, to get the Russian government to take more constructive behavior when building relations with Washington. This was announced by State Department spokesman Heather Neuert, answering journalists' questions during a regular briefing at the US Foreign Ministry.

Neutert commented on the August 8 restrictive measures announced against Moscow over the use of chemical weapons, which poisoned former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Julia.

"We would like to have closer relations with the Russian government, given the fact that we have many areas of mutual concern. Sanctions are the path by which we can try to encourage the government to improve its behavior, "she said..

Journalists reminded Neutert about the existing sanctions mechanisms of Washington in relation to North Korea and Venezuela. In response, a representative of the US Foreign Ministry noted that the United States "approaches each country in different ways," considering them "through the prism" of specific circumstances.

"The US government has determined that sanctions can be a very effective tool in an attempt to attract various governments to the negotiating table or encourage states to make concessions," Heather Neuert stressed, adding that this is "only one tool from a very large arsenal of funds".

Speaking about the introduction of sanctions in line with the statements made by US and Russian presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin at the Helsinki summit on July 16, the State Department spokesman noted that Washington does not close the door to dialogue. "We tend to believe that dialogue always remains an important" mechanism, "she stressed, reminding that Trump and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo advocated improved relations with the Russian authorities.

At the same time Heather Neuert urged journalists not to anticipate events and not to predict in advance the second round of sanctions against Moscow. According to the NBC television channel, it is possible if Russia does not provide "reliable guarantees" for three months that it will no longer use chemical weapons and will not agree to admission of UN inspectors.

"The introduction of sanctions was announced only yesterday, and we will unconditionally carry out the law," stressed Neuart.