Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday said President Obama was suffering from a “mental aberration,” and criticized him for calling Russia’s actions in Ukraine a threat to the international community.
“It’s sad to hear President Obama say in an address at the U.N. that the threats and challenges facing humanity are, in this particular order, the Ebola virus, the Russian Federation, and only then the Islamic State,” Medvedev said in interview with CNBC aired on Wednesday.
{mosads}”I don’t want to dignify it with a response. It’s sad, it’s like some kind of mental aberration,” he added.
Medvedev was citing Obama’s speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month. In the wide-ranging speech, Obama urged nations to work together to fight the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, prevent the spread of the Ebola virus and counter Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Medvedev also dismissed U.S. and European sanctions against Russia over its annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in Ukraine, calling the measures “stupid.”
“I have no doubt that after a while these sanctions will dissipate; there will be no more sanctions, but we can’t deny the fact that they have damaged our relations,” he added.
The sanctions have taken a toll on Russia economy, with the Obama administration last month unveiling a new round of measures targeting the country’s defense, energy and financial sectors.
Medvedev also said it would be “impossible” to reset U.S.-Russian relations amid the sanctions, adding that Moscow is “not closing any doors.”
The prime minister also rejected any blame on Russia for the downing of a Malaysia Airlines flight over Ukraine this summer.
U.S. officials believe the plane was shot down with a missile fired by pro-Russian separatists who are backed by Moscow.
“Ukraine is fully responsible for all accidents in its skies,” Medvedev said.