As the EU decided to prolong sanctions against Russia, President Vladimir Putin approved a suggestion of the government to prolong countermeasures against the EU countries. The Chairwoman of the Federation Council, Valentina Matviyenko, said in an interview that in imposing counter-sanctions Russia will take into account the positions of Hungary, Cyprus and Greece, which protest against the EU’s sanctions policy against Russia.
“Certainly, Russia will impose reciprocal, appropriate and deliberate counter sanctions. Now the government of the Russian Federation is dealing with the development of such measures, and after their acceptance and agreement they will certainly be announced,” the head of the Federation Council said.
At the same time, Matviyenko thinks that in working out the policy of counter sanctions, the government must take into account the position of some states: “Such states as Hungary, Greece and Cyprus. We have good economic, trade and political relations. Moreover, they actively oppose the EU’s sanctions policy. So I think that we need to support these countries.”
In addition, Valentina Matviyenko is sure that it is necessary to strengthen and tighten control over the implementation of these countersanctions: “I met with a group of retailers, and they gave a convincing example: Estonia was going to deliver South African apples, which were apparently from Poland. We should not allow these countersanctions to be violated. In this case, we have to tighten control at the customs office on the border, and to prevent such kinds of fraud. The EU strictly controls its sanctions. I would not only declare countersanctions, but would also observe measures of implementing them.”
Moreover, the Federation Council Speaker commented during the press briefing on the events currently taking place in Armenia. She expressed her hope that the Armenian authorities will cope with the crisis: “Above all, Armenia is a friendly country for us. Armenia is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union. Certainly, we are not indifferent to what is happening on the territory of Armenia. I hope that the Armenian authorities will cope with the current situation taking place in Armenia now. We are closely watching the events, are concerned about them, and hope that this issue will be solved in a peaceful way by means of negotiations between the authorities and protesters. I wouldn’t like to express any assessments today.”
