India, Aug. 20 -- "Friends do not impose sanctions," Russia's Ambassador to India Roman Babushkin said during a rare press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday, amid the threat of 50% US sanctions on India.

"The US has weaponised the economy. Friends do not impose sanctions. Russia will never impose sanctions," Babushkin said. "Russia understands the importance of India's relations with the West. We are non-West, not anti-West."

"India and Russia have always found ways to cooperate in difficult times."

Here's a look at what he said during the press conference:

Russia is taking steps to address trade imbalance with India by addressing trade barriers. We need to increase Indian exports to Russia. The key export items are machinery, phar...