Moscow expects common sense to prevail in the West, said Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the President of Russia, commenting on publications by Western media about the preparation of new restrictive measures by the European Union and the United States against Russia.

“We still hope that, let's say, a common sense of the situation will prevail among our interlocutors, and we will not go further down the road of this sanctions pressure, which has actually repeatedly demonstrated its ineffectiveness,” Peskov said.

Earlier, Bloomberg published an article that the administration of President Joe Biden will submit a report to the US Congress on additional sanctions against the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

Restrictions will affect a number of Russian companies; no restrictions are envisaged for German companies, as Washington wants to find a more diplomatic method of influencing Berlin.

On February 3, a bill was introduced to the US Congress called the 2021 Law to Hold Russia Accountable for Malicious Activities.

The document, authored by senators from the Democratic and Republican parties, proposed expanding anti-Russian sanctions due to the situation around Navalny.

It also calls on the FRG to refuse to support the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Earlier, President Vladimir Putin explained that the pressure on the trans-Baltic gas pipeline is driven by the West's desire to make Russia pay for its geopolitical project in Ukraine.

Nord Stream 2 is two strings of a gas pipeline with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters per year, which pass through the exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of five countries - Russia, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Germany.

According to the latest data, the construction of SP-2 is over 95% completed.

The operator of the Nord Stream 2 AG gas pipeline and the Russian corporation Gazprom expect that Nord Stream 2 will be commissioned in 2021.

In addition, the American media reported that on February 22, at the Council of Foreign Ministers of the European Union, agreements could be reached on the introduction of new anti-Russian sanctions due to the situation with Alexei Navalny.

At the same time, according to sources, the restrictive measures will concern the allegedly involved in this case "officials and organizations" and will not affect "large Russian entrepreneurs."

In early February, following his visit to Moscow (February 4-6), EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell announced his intention to propose new restrictive measures against Russia at a meeting of the Council of EU Foreign Ministers and at a summit in March.

"Lobbyist Story from America"

As Anton Morozov, a member of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, noted, the United States, despite all its desire, cannot take any drastic measures to stop this construction, in which strong European states are interested.

“Of course, this approach of the American side will be assessed as extremely unconstructive and unfriendly towards us.

But at the same time, I am sure that any pressure will be overcome sooner or later and the project will be completed, "the interlocutor of RT said.

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In turn, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Igor Ananskikh also believes that the ongoing sanctions pressure will not affect the completion of the pipeline from Russia to Germany.

He stressed that "this is not a political, but an economic project that is beneficial for Europe."

“If a few years ago someone thought that this was some kind of political story, now everyone understands that this is an openly lobbying story from America to support its business in Europe ... This is a violation of all international canons.

It is immoral to hide behind political sanctions for the sake of one's interests.

Will there be sanctions?

Well, what to do.

As they say, they are not the first, not the second, not the third, and not even the last, "Ananskikh explained in an interview with RT.

"Sanctions are a headache for everyone"

President of the Italian-Russian Chamber of Commerce Vincenzo Trani, in an interview with RT about the situation around Navalny, noted that an opposition leader was recently arrested in Spain.

"Probably, if there are sanctions, then it is necessary to impose sanctions against Spain," he said, stressing that a different development of the situation would "look strange."

On February 16, protests began in Spanish cities in connection with the arrest of music artist Pablo Asel, who was sentenced to 9 months in prison for insulting the monarchy and praising banned terrorist organizations.

The manifesto in defense of the musician has been signed by hundreds of cultural figures, including actor Javier Bardem and director Pedro Almodovar.

According to Trani, the policy of introducing restrictive measures against Russia can be traced only in a number of EU countries.

At the same time, at the moment there is “no real reason” for sanctions, and if there are, they will not be directed to the economic sector.

“The policy of European sanctions, unfortunately, did not give any result - neither for the development of political relations, nor for the development of economic relations - it was a headache for everyone,” added Trani.

At the same time, Antonio Fallico, President of the “Let us know Eurasia” association, said that on February 22, the issue of sanctions would not be on the agenda of the meeting of the EU foreign ministers.

According to him, the discussion will focus on a strategic approach to building relations with Russia and developing proposals for a meeting of the European Council, which will be held later.

“While the issue of sanctions is not on the agenda, I don’t know what may appear along the way, but I hope that a realistic approach to the problem will prevail,” Falliko said.

"We hope that a responsible and calm approach will prevail on February 22nd and March, when the European Council meets."

He also appreciated the change in the rhetoric of the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, during his stay in Moscow and after his return to Brussels.

“I think his subsequent reaction was dictated by pressure from the Atlantic circles,” he said in an interview with RT.