Alexander Grushko
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko spoke about the “slippery slope” that the European Union (EU) is embarking on. RIA Novosti reports.
According to him, Russia is concerned about the creation by the European Union of numerous “horizontal” sanctions mechanisms that hinder economic cooperation. He stressed that the EU lays down in its legislation opportunities for making operational decisions addressed to specific individuals, institutions, companies and businessmen. The Russian diplomat added that “this is a very slippery road that leads nowhere,” as such actions create colossal tension in relations between Russia and the European Union.
Grushko also explained that this problem is characteristic not only of relations between Russia and the EU, but also of world trade in general. He stressed that Russia is against unilateral decisions that contradict the norms of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and impede the development of economic relations.
Earlier, the Ministry of Economy and Energy of Germany calculated that since 2014, European business has lost billions of euros due to EU sanctions against Russia. As estimated by the department, at the same time, over six years, Germany has “frozen” the assets and funds of Russians and Russian companies that have come under EU sanctions, in the amount of about 1.8 million euros.
