The meaning and strength of a particular political subject can be understood based on the number and quality of its opponents. In this sense, Russia, which Europe is trying to resist, as well as its former satellite, and now the patron of the United States, is a classic example of a state, a phenomenon that cannot be bypassed. It remains only to inflict vengeful injections in the style of "Baba Yaga against." This is the category of sanctions. Effective only against the weak (and even then not always), Russia, they are like a grain of elephant and only emphasize our specialness.
On July 12, the European Union extended economic sectoral sanctions against Russia for another six months. A certain assessment of the implementation of the Minsk agreements during the June EU summit is indicated as the reason. Allegedly, Russia does not fulfill them, although everyone knows that Kiev does not. In fact, there was no "assessment". Earlier, the foreign ministers of European countries promised to extend the sanctions without discussion, mechanically. That is, we are talking about the routine bureaucratic reproduction of anti-Russian action. Boring to yawn.
This is the kind of assessment that the Kremlin gave to the event. “There is no novelty here, as long as we really have to work in difficult conditions,” said press secretary Dmitry Peskov. According to him, such decisions in no way open up new prospects for the normalization of relations between Moscow and Brussels. I could once again remind you that Moscow is not a party to the Minsk agreements, but plays the role of a mediator in the settlement, just like Germany and France. However, how long can you throw beads?
Leonid Slutsky, head of the State Duma's international affairs committee, also drew attention to the mechanical nature of the extension of the sanctions - "on autopilot". Its meaning, according to the politician, is in obedient adherence to the pro-American course, "which is defended by those European capitals where the degree of Russophobia is proportional to the amount of subsidies from the EU budget." Moreover, this line is being maintained despite the economic damage inflicted on the EU countries. At the same time, such measures have failed to change Moscow's policy for the seventh year in a row. And it will not succeed.
The legislator reasonably points out to the Brussels bureaucracy that its course contradicts the position of the most powerful countries of Old Europe.
Incidentally, they are also participants in the Normandy format of the Ukrainian settlement.
“The European Union should listen to the opinion of the heads of state - locomotives and major donors, namely France, and the same Germany, who recognize the ineffectiveness of anti-Russian restrictions and call for a dialogue with Russia,” Slutsky said.
Voice in the wilderness?
So far, yes, but the water wears away the stone.
In general, European anti-Russian sanctions, their periodic extension, or strengthening, or change, or correction are already perceived as a natural phenomenon.
Like rain or snow.
Something commonplace.
So, yesterday's extension concerned only the Minsk agreements. And then there are the "Crimean" EU sanctions - they are different, and they are extended for a year, not six months. You can get confused. On the Russian peninsula, however, they only laugh: “This is their business, they want it to be extended ... This will not affect the situation in Crimea and the fate of Crimea. More than seven years have already passed since the Crimea was a part of Russia ”.
The only ones who are "swayed" by all these European gestures are the Ukrainian authorities. To describe their reaction, the press uses the verbs "happy", "welcomed". Well, this is normal for traders of Russophobia. In particular, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Emine Dzhaparova spoke out. The EU's decision is explained by the fact that the Minsk agreements were not fully implemented by the Russian Federation, the official gave out on a blue eye, keeping silent that Kiev called the key point of the agreements - giving a special status to Donbass - unacceptable.
Dzhaparova cites with noticeable pleasure a list of specific sanctions measures: restricting access to the EU's primary and secondary capital markets, banning financial assistance and brokerage activities, direct or indirect import and export of defense materials, and dual-use goods. The sanctions also limit Russia's access to some sensitive technologies that could be used in the Russian energy sector. For example, in the production and exploration of oil. The neighbor's cow died - some kind of joy.
In Russia, however, for a long time and reasonably they see in external restrictions not so much a problem as an opportunity. Yes, for specific companies in the energy and defense sectors, sanctions could cause some inconvenience, temporary difficulties, but over time they learned to overcome them. And those who have not yet learned will learn. It is more difficult with capital, but a solution will gradually be found here. Sanctions play an important role for the Russian people as an incentive, a challenge that must be overcome. Without them, the import substitution process might have been slower.
Even more important is the political significance of the sanctions.
By extending them over and over again, Europe, like the United States, demonstrates its true attitude towards Russia.
This is the attitude of tough competitors, not "friends" or "partners".
Those who want to inflict damage, if it is not possible to "grind" entirely.
After all, sanctions are a form of modern warfare.
Realization of this gets rid of illusions.
Our political class will never believe the lulling promises of the West.
It will no longer be possible to drag Russia into its sphere of influence, to turn it into a sideline of European civilization.
The point of view of the author may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.