Russia ready to hit back at sanctions: Medvedev

MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned Sunday that his country was ready to retaliate against sanctions, on the eve of European Union summit called to agree on a response to the Georgia conflict.

EU leaders are expected to call for a reappraisal of relations with Russia at their Brussels summit and agree on a series of measures to pile pressure on Moscow to withdraw all of its troops from Georgia.

"We are not advocates of sanctions and consider them to be a last resort," Medvedev said in an interview to Russian television.

Imposing sanctions requires the adoption of special laws, he said.

"If needed, we also can adopt such special laws," the President warned.

The French EU presidency has said sanctions were not being considered, but Russian leaders have nevertheless sought to quash appeals for drastic measures.