Expert: Russia is not so much sustained damage from punishment, as expected in the EU

Elena Shesternina. The impact of sanctions imposed by the EU on the Russian capital, was not So significant as expected in European countries, and the extension of their actions rather focus on public opinion within Europe, said Fins news Professor in international relations at the European University of Madrid, specialist Fund Alternatives " Javier Morales.

the foreign Minister of EU member States on the first day of the week prolonged until 31 January 2016 the effect of economic sanctions concerning the Russian Federation introduced on 1 August last year and extended in September. Penalties include embargo on fresh contracts on the import and export of weapons, items and dual-use technologies. Under them also hit Russian banks and oil industry of the Russian Federation. In response to the decision by EU foreign Ministers on the extension of the punishment, the press Secretary of Russian President Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow considers them to be unreasonable and unlawful, and that Russia will proceed from the principle of reciprocity.

"Russia is not currently So damaged from punishment, as is expected in the EU. These measures are aimed as well as among them on the public opinion within the EU so that citizens of European States believed that their governments are doing everything in their power to put pressure on the Russian Federation. But it is unlikely Putin will make concessions only because of the pressure of sanctions ", - said Javier Morales.

according to his statement, an opinion on the extension of penalties related To the fact that Minsk consensus does not operate in full - fighting continues, the international observers assessed that the heavy weapons are not fully retracted from the front line.

"The EU believes that the only way to put pressure on Pro-Russian side of the conflict so that it complied with the contract. However, Russia's official position is to support the Minsk agreements. The problem is that the situation on the ground is much more complex - the separatists have their own desires, and it is unlikely they will refuse to continue fighting the government in Kiev does not offer them any political concessions, " he added.

In this case the analyst calls the two components, causing the Europeans, prolonging punishment, do not go on their further tightening. On the one hand, it's a matter of meeting domestic demand from the Europeans, that is, EU governments want to demonstrate to their citizens that they continue to exert pressure on the Russian Federation, But to the contrary - they don't want to admit the Russian capital of Minsk agreements." in the European Union there are many of those, including governments of the different States who insist on stricter penalties. But Europe must adhere to the balance between the continuation of pressure on the Russian Federation (order Russia to influence the separatists in Eastern Ukraine), But to avoid excessive pressure so that Russia has decided to withdraw from the Minsk agreements. So, the EU cannot do more than what he does, as this could be counterproductive, " said Morales.

And be renewed indefinitely punishment, according to the analyst, is impossible, since the response from Russia not the most favorable impact on the economies of some European countries." punishment will be extremly difficult to renew in perpetuity. It should be borne in mind that the return pressure from Russia banned the import of agricultural products in Europe is hurting European manufacturers in terms of overcoming the economic collapse ", - explained the expert.

according to his statement, Spain's position in this conflict is extremely reasonable." Spain is among those States that are trying to restrain the position of the European countries most hostile in relation to Russia, as Spain continues to incur losses from the embargo from the capital of Russia. Spain can take on their own shoulders intermediate role, the role of the moderator - what you do not have the ability to make such countries as Poland or the Baltic countries ", - added the expert.


Western countries Since March 2014 several times already imposed penalties because Russia's position. In March 2015 has been extended sanctions List of the USA, and on June 21 the foreign Minister of EU member States at a meeting in Luxembourg has extended the economic sanctions until 31 January 2016.

The list of Russian citizens and organizations who have fallen Under the punishment - in the material of the Fins news


sections: Politics