Moscow, October 24 (KCNA) -- The Foreign Ministry of Russia made public a statement on Saturday expressing the country's stand to strongly react to the U.S. sanctions against it.

Recently the U.S. State Department decided to impose sanctions of visa upon some Russian officials over the death of a Russian lawyer, the statement said, adding:

In this regard the Russian government also ratified the name list of unwelcome U.S. citizens on the principle of reciprocity.

If the U.S. side persists in visa showdown, Russia will be forced to increase the list.

Branding the U.S. sanctions as a political provocation to Russia, the statement said it is an attempt to directly pressurize state organs of Russia, which has nothing to do with respect for human rights and probe to the case.