Russia vows retaliatory sanctions on U.S. over Nord Stream 2 pipeline

Russia vowed Monday to respond to U.S. sanctions on its Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline to Germany, the AP reports.

The big picture: The U.S. enacted sanctions last week against individuals and companies building the pipeline — which forced a major contractor to suspend its work — arguing that it would increase Europe's dependency on Russian energy.

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the sanctions "absolutely unacceptable, blunt actions that violate all norms of international law and diplomatic and human decency," according to the AP.
• Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's prime minister, said he has tasked his Cabinet with "possible restrictions" on the U.S. as retaliation.

The state of play: Germany said last week that it regretted the sanctions and believes the U.S is interfering in German domestic affairs.

• German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the country is not considering retaliating against the sanctions.

Go deeper:

• Congress confronts Trump on Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline
• U.S. sanctions bill hinders work on Russian-backed pipeline — for now