Medvedev made the preservation of “the sanctions inertia” in the United States for a long time – RBC

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev

Photo: RIA Novosti

US can maintain “a sanctions inertia” in for a long period of time. This is the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with the Slovenian newspaper DELO before his visit to Slovenia.

«I admit that sanctions inertia may remain in the US permanently. Suffice it to recall the story of the Jackson-Vanik amendment, which lasted almost 40 years, becoming the economic policy lever arm, “- Medvedev said (quoted by RIA Novosti news agency). The Prime Minister said that Moscow intends to take into account the sanctions process in building economic and trade policies. Medvedev warned that, if necessary, Russia will “respond adequately to the new unfriendly steps.

The Russian prime minister expressed hope that Washington would return to the” pragmatic approach “. “It happened many times in our relations in the past”, – the politician said. Medvedev said that in the United States talked about the importance of “Russian-American cooperation in resolving the situation around the Iranian nuclear program” and in addressing other global problems.

The prime minister stressed that the path of sanctions is counterproductive and damaging to bilateral cooperation. Medvedev said that restrictive measures are affected by both countries. “At the same time the largest US companies do not want to lose ground on the promising Russian market and to give a place to competitors from other countries, especially Asian, – said the prime minister. – Let the United States are free to decide what they will do with their sanctions. I have often said, we did not have started this process and we will finish ».

Talking about the damage that western countries have sanctions, Medvedev praised them in the” tens of billions of euros. ” “[Sanctions] largely boomerang on those who enter them. Today, representatives of business circles of Europe seriously concerned about the loss of business in their countries as a result of anti-Russian restrictions. Economists estimate that they could reach tens of billions of euros “- said the prime minister.

Medvedev stressed that attempts to put pressure on Moscow to abandon not keep it from” its principled position. ” He assured that Russia will cope with “and with US and European sanctions and their negative consequences for our economy.” The prime minister said that Russia could use the effects of the restrictions to their advantage, citing the example of the program on import substitution and stimulating domestic production.

The day before in an interview with “RTV Slovenia” Medvedev explained pragmatism extension grocery sanctions. He stressed that Moscow is going to take this step not in order “to make Europeans more painfully.” The Prime Minister also acknowledged the relationship between Moscow and Brussels, particularly in the energy sector.

The Western countries have imposed sanctions against Russia in connection with the accession of the Crimea and strengthened them because of the crisis in the Donbass. First, they applied only to certain individuals, but then raised the whole sectors of the economy. The Kremlin has repeatedly stated that the restrictive measures are not forced to change its policy. Moreover, Russia insists on the legality of the Crimean referendum and denied any involvement in the destabilization of the situation in Ukraine.