Rwanda has said international sanctions will reduce the likelihood of peace with M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), after the United Kingdom said it would pause some bilateral aid and impose other diplomatic sanctions on Kigali.

U.K. authorities are punishing Rwanda over its support of the rebels who now control two major cities in eastern Congo.

Britain on Tuesday said it would pause some bilateral aid to Rwanda and impose other diplomatic sanctions on Kigali over its role in the conflict in neighbouring Congo, a move Kigali termed "punitive".

It is unreasonable to expect Rwanda to compromise its national security and the safety of Rwandans, says government - Anadolu Ajansı