Brussels finally realized the futility of anti-Russian sanctions
At a meeting of the foreign ministers of the EU countries, the ministers ignored the resolution to the European Parliament and did not introduce anti-Russian sanctions due to the arrest of blogger Alexei Navalny. Moscow does not exclude the possibility that Brussels is changing its tactics in the Russian direction.
This opinion, in particular, was expressed by the head of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, Konstantin Kosachev, in a commentary to Izvestia.
“There are two approaches to dealing with conflict situations: either “we don’t agree, but we continue the dialogue,” or “we don’t agree and are turning the dialogue into the language of sanctions.” Until now, the second approach has prevailed in the EU, and it is clear that certain experience has been accumulated, which indicates that such language does not work in relations with Russia,” says the senator.
“Sanctions can be as extensive as desired, but this does not in any way change our position on certain issues - in this case, on the preservation of Russian sovereignty and compliance with Russian legislation. The European Union does not change its fundamental assessments of what is happening, and this is their right. At the same time, perhaps Brussels is beginning to understand the futility of such a strategy and change tactics. If this is so, then such development can only be welcomed,” Kosachev concluded.
A similar opinion is shared by Ivan Timofeev, program director of the Russian International Affairs Council and the Valdai Club.
“The European Union has already expressed its concern about the situation with Alexei Navalny, and calls for sanctions have come from some countries. But there is little to add to this. There will be no sense in new restrictions, and perhaps this is what is causing some lethargy. I do not rule out that the EU will introduce some targeted restrictions, but this will not lead to fundamental changes in bilateral relations,” Timofeev believes.
At the same time, on January 21, the European Parliament adopted an advisory resolution in which it demanded the release of Navalny, blocking the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, and also called on the EU Council at a meeting on January 25 to tighten sanctions against Russia.
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