Russian officials issued statements today criticizing both Japan and the European Union for new rounds of sanctions following on the US sanctions, dubbing Japan’s move a “clumsy and counterproductive” step, and saying the EU should be “ashamed of itself” for follow US orders.
In both cases officials warned the move showed a “complete lack of understanding” of the situation in Ukraine, and suggested the moves encouraged neo-Nazis in the Ukraine to continue attacks against eastern protesters.
Though both the EU and Japan sanctions seem fairly minimal, there is concern that they could lead to a bigger sanctions war, as unlike the US, Europe actually trades enough with Russia that such a sanctions war, while crippling to Europe’s economy, would also be devastating to Russia.
Regarding the US sanctions, Deputy FM Sergey Ryabkov expressed concern for the impact the move would have on technology sharing, and experts warn the move will likely have a deleterious impact on space exploration, preventing the two nations from sharing information on space technology.
This is in no way good for EUROPE or Russia only American oil and middle East oil and gas why when we know this do we go against our own interests.
As a fellow European I consider it treasonous. Merkel/Hollande/Cameron are more loyal to the US than there own people.
Because the "interests" of those directing policy are not in the best interest of the American people. It's a business decision influenced by ideological pipe dreams and whimsey.
Just what is NATO territory ? What we are really looking at is the highly developed countries putting sanctions on the less developed countries , because the less developed countries want to develop their own resources without global price controls or manipulations . Many of the highly developed countries have a percapta income of $40,000 dollars per person .while the less developed countries have a percapta income of even less than 1 thousand to 10,000 dollars per person . United States is the Military leader of the international community that uses most of the worlds resources and lives at the highest level . Russia is a very popular and highly respected country in the less developed world . Because Russia inspite of being a poor undeveloped country has managed to develope a very powerful military . The only military force that might challenge the international community . The high percapta incomes of the highly developed world are enhanced by a plentiful supply low cost natural resources . Most of the highly developed world have used up their own supply of natural resources so they wish to develope the less developed countries too . The truth of the matter like always it is about the money and who gets it . The larger less developed international community looks to Russia for their only protection .
The last sentence gives the game away. Russia is totally dependent on technology from the US, Europe and Japan. It has both warships and helicopters on order in France, for example, something it clearly wouldn't have done if it was in a position to build state of the art equipment itself. The pro-Putin facton in the US have been at pains to play down the damage sanctions can do and play up the damage they would do to the EU but the reality is somewhat different.