Russia is used to sanctions, they have become boring, said the charge d'affaires of the Russian embassy in New Delhi, Roman Babushkin, on the sanctions imposed on the country amid the Ukraine crisis. “The new set won't hit the country, in fact, they could even be beneficial to Russia in the long run, because past sanctions have helped Russia gain independence in technology and other areas.”
The move will, however. negatively impact the global economy as these moves create an atmosphere of mistrust and uncertainty. The sanctions will also impact other “independent thinking” nations with whom Russia has relations, and which are interested and dependent on business with Russia.
The sanctions, he said, serve only one purpose—to get economic advantages sidelining other competitors by unlawful means. “A new set of sanctions would have been imposed irrespective of what Russia is doing or not doing, they need just any pretext.”
At a special briefing today, Russia hit out at the double standards of the US, accusing it of interfering with domestic affairs of former Soviet republics since the beginning, using the pretext of the “Russian threat”, to push their own business, even though these republics were keen on economic support and investments from Russia.
He said that while Russia was always keen on dialogue, these dialogues should be conducted “respectfully”, keeping in mind the red lines Russia has drawn—non-expansion of NATO and demilitarisation of Ukraine.
Welcoming the efforts of France and Germany to broker peace, he, however, said, “Don't expect the next round of talks to have any achievements.”
Babushkin said Russia appreciated India's balanced and independent stand, which it has articulated at the UNSC, and which External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has also spoken of.
“We have great plans for military partnership with India. I hope this will continue at the same level,” said the Russian diplomat.
Last year, along with the India-Russia summit in New Delhi, Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin also agreed upon a 10-year road map for cooperation in defence. Babushkin said that the two countries had an unparalleled level of mutual understanding and trust and both stood strongly for the establishment of multi-polarity. “This relation has become a strong factor of global peace and stability,” he said.
The envoy said that it had become necessary to recognise the independence of Donetsk and Lugansk republics, which was an overdue step. He said that since 2015, there has been enough time for direct dialogue between Kyiv and these regions, in accordance with the Minsk agreements. But it was clear that Ukraine was not interested.
“The Russian step is the only way under the current circumstances to save lives of these people, who, for many years, have been suffering from economic blockade, genocide and violation of basic human rights, which the west turned a blind eye on,” he said.
Babuskhin came down hard on the US for preserving its intention to “change the world map” under its leadership, “misusing” sanctions even against its own allies. He gave the example of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, which is under question now, though it was supposed to be essential for Europe's energy security.
“Russia has all rights for response measures and remains ready for any developments,” he said.