About it in exclusive interview to TV channel “Russia 24” said the chief researcher of the Institute of USA and Canada Vladimir Vasiliev. He noted that Washington is trying to put ultimatums to Russia, presenting new charges in the absence of evidence and in General seek to undermine the Russian economy.
–Hello, Vladimir Sergeyevich!
– Hello!
– The United States stuck new sanctions against Russia “case Skrypalia” in the UK, with evidence of the involvement of Russia is not presented. What do you think of this approach of Washington?
– You know, it is not clear what forces act in the US administration. In fact, it is not so much the White house, the state Department how much in the face of Pompeo and the Ministry of Finance in the face of Mnuchin. Basic to these sanctions is another. Russia is actually given an ultimatum. The sanctions that will be imposed on 22 August production of “dual purpose” – in my estimation, this product is about $5 billion If all U.S. exports to Russia – approx. ed. is $10 billion, it will affect the products is about $5 billion, it was said: “if Russia does not recognize his involvement in” the case of Salisbury, to gimatecan in Syria, then is introduced a second package of sanctions, including a ban on flights of “Aeroflot” and, most importantly, lowering the diplomatic status. That is, it is a blackmail. In essence, States that unless they made these statements, if Russia will not change its position, as well as formulated is an ultimatum and blackmail – we can talk about the downgrading of diplomatic relations, which was not at all the time of the cold war. In my opinion, you can talk about similar examples in the 1940s or early 1950s, I did not even remember. Today Russian-American relations are harmed, to describe which I would have used the phrase “point of no return”.
We come to a situation when the current balance of political forces within the United States and in Russia in relations between the countries will reach the point of no return. That is, the relationship will be degraded to such an extent that practically no visible options for their improvement. I’m not talking about the fact that Americans are being driven wave signal to its allies how to behave. For us it may be the aggravation of the situation with Ukraine. Many have asked whether it is possible to further deterioration in the relationship? Practice shows that it is possible.
– Vladimir Sergeevich, you mentioned that expression that we have heard that sanctions have led to “tipping point” that they are worse than what it was during the cold war. But the negotiations in Helsinki? Are we really going to go towards the deterioration of relations? Another question: if you compare the anti-Russian sanctions with antirusskoe – what are the sanctions tougher and to whom they hit harder?
It is hard to say. Sanctions against Iran have been tougher, given the fact that Iran and the United States there was never any special relationship. Mainly affected Iran’s relations with European countries. We have with US a turnover of $20 billion, and of other relationships. The issue here is rather about the gradual curtailment of generally all economic, trade and other relations. There is a gap of economic ties. And this is done from the point of view of the attack on Helsinki. At the talks in Helsinki were talking about what we need first of all economic component of the relations to improve. It was said that the improvement of economic ties could become the basis for the improvement of Russian-American relations. Here strike at the very possibility of improvement, there is no basis for improvement. And it speaks about the seriousness of the situation related to the problem of control over strategic offensive arms (start).
– Yesterday on news of the sanctions was the first reaction on the stock exchange, the dollar against the ruble rose sharply. In your opinion, will continue this trend?
– Yes, here we see a manifestation of the economic war. Begin to shape the contours of the large-scale economic war, when we apply really serious damage. This requires a correction of our foreign policy toward the United States. Because the attempt to inflict that damage and very severe damage is visible.
– If I may, briefly, Vladimir Sergeyevich: join Brussels to the US sanctions against Russia or not?
– At this stage it is difficult to say, but it may be a signal to allies. And in this respect, since the Brussels always took a visor, so it is at least a signal for an unlimited continuation of the sanctions regime or a long-term regime of sanctions that Brussels has imposed on Russia.
