Illegal US Sanctions on Russia Aim to Weaken Its Economy
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)
At the Valdai Discussion Club earlier this month, Vladimir Putin explained illegal, unilaterally imposed US sanctions on Russia aim to oust the country “from European energy markets…compelling Europe to buy more expensive US-produced LNG although the scale of its production is still too small.”
Washington wants Russia prevented from developing new energy routes, notably its South Stream and Nord Stream projects.
While it’s natural for countries to have their own interests, “(t)he question is the means” they choose to pursue them, Putin stressed.
Russia rejects efforts by nations to achieve their aims at the expense of others, stoking tensions, creating instability, leading to conflicts.
Without respect for the sovereignty of all nations - large and small, powerful and weak - an unacceptable ‘‘brave new world (will feature) totalitarianism, castes, conflicts and greater divisions,” said Putin.
Declaring itself the Cold War victor, US-led Western countries “started openly interfering in the affairs of sovereign states,” waging wars in numerous theaters to assert their dominance.
Addressing the Association of European Businesses on Tuesday, Sergey Lavrov said Washington created a pretext for challenging a nonexistent Russian threat.
Its aims include maintaining “Atlantic solidarity,” pressuring NATO countries to increase military spending, along with “gain(ing) a stronger foothold in the European economy and energy industry, to downgrade our joint projects in energy, and to elbow Russia out of the energy markets. This is precisely what the latest…sanctions (are) aimed at.”
Washington is waging political war on Russia through false accusations of “aggression” in Ukraine, along with fabricated claims of meddling in America’s electoral process.
It’s waging economic war by imposing illegal unilateral sanctions, the latest ones mainly targeting its energy and defense industries.
Russia’s economy resumed growth. “The US-imposed spiral of sanctions is the main obstruction to this,” Lavrov explained, adding:
“It is up to the Europeans to decide if they really need antagonism in relations with Russia. We know that in the EU’s political and business circles discontent over this situation is voiced ever more frequently.”
Hostile US actions are unjustifiable. Unilaterally imposed sanctions are illegal, counterproductive and “pointless,” said Lavrov - “a totally politicized stance by those who are seeking to both punish Russia and gain competitive advantages for themselves.”
As long as EU countries operate like US colonies, hostility toward Russia will continue.
Russian lower house State Duma Defense Committee chairman Vladimir Shamanov blasted Washington, saying (d)ue to its weakness, the United States is going off the deep end trying to harm our country.”
“It is clear that the competitiveness of our military-industrial complex has demonstrated its efficiency to the whole world.”
Even US allies began buying Russian weapons, notably its superior air defense systems.
Russia’s economy is improving. Illegal US sanctions aim to weaken it, part of its diabolical practice of imposing its will on other countries, often by force to get its way.
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