Comment by Russian Ambassador to Cyprus M.M.Zyazikov to the TASS news agency on the topic of anti-Russian sanctions

Main theses

• The desire of the European Union states to follow the common line of Brussels regarding the imposition of sanctions against Russia is turning into enormous economic problems for these countries, which they did not face during the pre-sanctions period.

• As a result of the introduction of anti-Russian restrictions, a paradoxical situation has arisen: restrictive measures have been introduced against our country, while prices have increased in Europe. It is more than obvious that support for these measures causes significant damage to the peoples and countries of the EU.

• Russia has repeatedly faced all kinds of difficulties in its history and has always successfully overcome them. The sanctions policy of Brussels turned into a boomerang effect for them, causing a sharp increase in the cost of goods and energy resources in the EU countries.

• Ultimately, there is only one thing that can be stated: this is a conscious choice of the leadership of European states.

• At the same time, there is no longer any consensus within the Euro-Atlantic community regarding the anti-Russian policy of restrictions. They recorded a recent statement by US Secretary of State Mike Rubio that in the event of a settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, Western countries will have to make concessions one way or another – to sit down at the negotiating table.

@rusembcy