Medvedev: Russia will handle sanctions

Russia can handle the Western sanctions imposed against it and their consequences, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview with the Slovenian newspaper DELO.

"I will repeat once again: the sanctions path, whoever goes through it, is pointless and counterproductive. It is impossible to speak with Russia from the position of force or intimidation. This is evidenced by the entire Russian history. Attempts to put pressure on Russia and make us give up our principled position have no prospects. The only thing they can do is damage bilateral cooperation, which, in fact, has already happened: both sides are suffering from the sanctions," RIA Novosti quoted him as saying.

The premier has no doubts that Russia has enough potential to handle these tests. "We, of course, can handle US and European sanctions and their negative consequences for our economy. Furthermore, we have the opportunity not just to overcome these consequences, but use them with certain benefits for ourselves," Medvedev said, recalling in this regard that the Russian Federation is actively developing cooperation with Asia-Pacific countries, stimulating domestic production, including through programs of import substitution.

"We will continue to defend our national interests," the head of the Russian government assured.

He did not rule out the possibility that the policy of sanctions will last for a very long time. "I admit that the sanctions inertia may remain in the US for a long time. You can just remember the story of the Jackson-Vanik amendment, which lasted for almost 40 years, turning from economic lever to politic lever. We will take this into account while building our economic and trade policy, and if necessary we will adequately respond to new unfriendly steps," Medvedev said.