[ad_1]
Install the Sina Finance client to receive the most complete market information the first time →[enlace de descarga]
Original title: Russia mocks the new US and European sanctions for “courtesy”: neither influence nor meaning Source: Global Times
“We are working with our partners in the EU and the UK to oppose Russia’s actions and call for the release of Mr. Navalny,” US Secretary of State Brinken’s Twitter feed was posted in the early hours of the third local time, using phrases of deja vu A few days ago, he wrote that “the United States supports the people of Hong Kong” and called for the “immediate release” of 47 anti-China rioters who were prosecuted under the National Security Law From Hong Kong. Now, to support the opposition of Russian President Putin, Navariny, the White House has synchronized with the European Union and announced on the 2nd that it will impose sanctions on seven middle- and high-level Russian officials, including the Director of the Russian Security Service. and the Attorney General of Russia. Reuters said on the 3rd that this is Biden’s “most direct challenge” to Russia so far, “a very different approach to former President Trump’s unwillingness to take on Putin.” In response, Russian presidential press secretary Peskov responded on the 3rd that the new sanctions imposed by the United States and Europe are interference in Russia’s internal affairs, and all the accusations against Russia are absurd.
Biden shows a tough stance
According to a report on Russia’s 3 “Izvestia”, after the European Union announced on 2 that it was imposing sanctions on four senior Russian officials for Navariny’s imprisonment, the United States immediately announced new sanctions against Russia and listed seven Russian officials from high rank. The blacklist includes Boltnikov, Director of the Russian Security Service, Kalashnikov, Director of the Federal Punishment Executive Agency of Russia, Kiriyenko, First Deputy Director of the Office of the President of Russia, Attorney General of Russia Karasnov, Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia Krivoruchko, the director of the Interior Office of the Russian President, Yalin, and the Russian Deputy Minister of Defense, Popov. At the same time, the United States included 14 institutions that “produce biological and chemical weapons” on the sanctions list. According to an ABC report on the 3rd, the Biden administration also stated that it is restricting certain forms of cooperation with the Russian aerospace industry.
According to Reuters, all assets of the seven Russian officials subject to sanctions in the United States will be frozen and American citizens will be prohibited from doing business with them. Furthermore, any foreigner who does business with them can also face penalties. According to the report, it is unclear whether the seven Russian officials own US assets, making it difficult to judge whether these sanctions are only “symbolic.” The White House stressed that the sanctions were made after close consultations with EU partners and are a “clear signal” to Moscow that Moscow is “behind the scenes” of Navalny’s assassination.
“We have sent a strong and clear message to the Kremlin and to the world: the era of unbridled trampling of the law and Moscow’s impunity is over,” US House Speaker Pelosi wrote on Twitter on the 3rd. US Treasury Secretary Yellen declared that the Kremlin “used chemical weapons to frame political opponents” and “blatantly opposed” international norms. The Associated Press reported that the Biden administration reiterated the call for Navalny’s “immediate release” after the sanctions announcement, noting that Biden will take a tougher stance against Moscow than his predecessor Trump.
However, the “Washington Post” said on the 3rd that Navariny’s “Anti-Corruption Foundation” (FBK) was “disappointed by the failure of the White House to punish Putin’s oligarchs.” According to a CNN report on the 2nd, FBK said in late January that it had submitted a list of 35 people in its letter to Biden, of which 8 were recommended as a “sanctions approach,” including Russian billionaires. Abramovich and Russian Health Minister Murashko, but neither of them appeared on the White House sanctions list on Tuesday.
Moscow warns “not to play with fire”
Peskov said on the 3rd that European and US sanctions have had an absolute “destructive effect” on bilateral relations. He said Russia will not “abandon the principle of reciprocity” when responding to the new sanctions imposed by the West, and the relevant retaliatory measures will be announced after the relevant departments have made recommendations to leaders and approved them. When asked why the United States and Europe do not ban the purchase of Russian government bonds or impose sanctions on big Russian companies, Peskov said that explaining a certain motive is not what the Kremlin cares about. it’s stupid. There is no reason. Most importantly, they have no influence or meaning. “When asked about the US intention to” stop aid to Russia, “Peskov scoffed that he did not know that the United States” has any help “for Russia.
The first deputy chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Council of the Russian Federation (upper house of parliament) Jabarov said that the European and American sanctions are illegal because no one has provided research results or test samples from German clinics to prove that Navalny was poisoned. Russia must respond to this. Kosachev, chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Council of the Russian Federation, said: “This sanction does not surprise us. If the EU continues to follow this route, it will be an absolute dead end, and it is definitely not in our interest.” of the European countries themselves “.
Earlier, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zakharova lashed out at the sanctions imposed by Europe and the United States on the 2nd. She called the reasons for the US sanctions against Russia “absurd.” As an excuse, we have no intention “The Russian side will respond on the principle of reciprocity, but not necessarily symmetrical.” He also warned the American side not to “play with fire.” At the same time, the Russian Foreign Ministry commented that the White House was in trouble for internal issues and tried to find external enemies again. Current US policy toward Russia lacks logic and reason, and will only further weaken bilateral ties until they are completely frozen.
America and Europe “united against” Russia?
Now the United States, Russia and Europe seem to be emphasizing the “new relationship” between them. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov recently declared ruthlessly that if the EU imposes sanctions that threaten its economy, Russia will “sever ties” with the EU. “European politics will get closer to the United States and take a tougher stance against Russia.” The Wall Street Journal said that since Biden took office as the US presidency, the European Union has shown signs of alliance with the United States on sensitive issues. White House Press Secretary Psaki said on the 2nd: “Relations with Russia will continue to be a challenge, and we are prepared for this: let us not try to rebuild relations with Russia or intensify the conflict.”
But have the United States and Europe embarked on the path of “uniting against Russia”? The media in the United States, Russia and Europe generally believe that “it is not that simple.”
The New York Times stated that Biden called for the establishment of a more unified Western front to deal with the “undemocratic threat” posed by Russia and China. After Trump’s four-year term, which often included disparaging and insulting diplomatic actions, such comments were like a “warm massage” for European allies. But “Europeans are not used to acting as deputies in the battle defined by Washington.” Whether it is the investment agreement between the European Union and China, or the reconciliation statements made by French President Macron and Raschette, who may become the next German chancellor, to Moscow, shows that Europe “has its own set of treatments for the two main competitors of the interests and ideas of the United States ”, which will complicate the diplomatic work of Biden.
The “EU Observer” website stated on the 3rd that Europe and the United States have jointly imposed sanctions on Russia.Atlantic OceanThe return of unity. However, the United States and Europe still have big differences in their policies towards Russia. For example, the United States hopes that Germany will stop building the “Beixi-2” natural gas pipeline with Russia. Of the 14 “biochemical weapons production” agencies authorized by the United States this time, three are based in Germany. Analysts believe this should be seen as a warning that “Berlin is too close to Moscow.”
Presenting relations between the EU and Russia, the European Parliament website stated that the Navaline incident is the latest source of tension in relations between the EU and Russia. However, Europe and Russia have common interests and concerns in many areas. For example, Russia has played a constructive role in the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear deal. Until now, the European Union remains Russia’s largest trading and investor partner. The European Union accounted for 42% of Russia’s exports in 2019. Even the United States and Russia have no shortage of areas of cooperation. The Washington Post said on the 3rd that Biden declared that he will confront Putin for actions that harm the United States and its allies, while seeking cooperation with Moscow on arms control, climate change and other issues. According to the report, due to the diminishing influence of the West in Russia, the effect of the sanctions imposed on the 2nd will not be too great.
This round of sanctions against Russia by the United States and Europe appears to be “high-level”, but in reality, as the media put it, “the symbolism is more.” The Russian satellite news agency quoted Russian Congressman Kalashnikov as saying on the 3rd that the European Union has adopted “courtesy sanctions.” Although this step is hostile, it has no effect on Russia. The sanctioned persons do not have funds or businesses in European countries. “In my opinion, this is an EU commitment to preserve appearance.” Russia reportedly estimates that it will impose similar sanctions on four European politicians, “but the lives of both sides will not change as a result.”
Massive information, accurate interpretation, all in the Sina Finance APP
Editor in Charge: Li Siyang
