Russia's foreign ministry says Moscow will respond to new US sanctions by expanding its 'black list' of Americans, its state news agency reported Thursday.
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Russia's deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov has announced that Moscow plans to add US citizens to its 'black list' in retaliation over new sanctions and would not rule out further measures.
Yet Russia still wants to maintain dialogue with the United States, he told RIA Novosti.
The threat comes hours after the US treasury slapped sanctions on the country on Wednesday for election meddling and cyber attacks dating back two years.
Five entities and 19 Russian citizens were to be penalised, including the notorious Internet Research Agency - a troll farm which produced divisive political posts on social media during the 2016 presidential election.
US intelligence has long accused Russia of interfering in the race by using underhand tactics to steer it in Donald Trump's favour, although Moscow denies the claims.
National security officials also blamed Vladimir Putin's administration for attempting to hack into the US energy grid and other critical infrastructure, including nuclear facilities.