Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that Moscow allows the possibility of the US introducing sanctions against Russia because of the situation with Navalny. But whether or not this is so bad is an open question.
On the one hand, there is a classic vicious circle. the US, as the world’s hegemon, is obliged to actively intervene in literally anything. Especially in events concerning their key world opponents.
Especially such as Russia, which, at the same time, are “clear enemies” and at the same time are rather poorly connected with America economically. The mutual trade turnover of $26.2 billion, $13.1 billion comes from imports of all sorts of American goods to the Russian Federation, is only 4.9% of Russia’s total foreign trade and 3.9% of American trade.
Moreover, for almost 10 years of various sanctions, especially after Crimea, Washington has closed down almost everything that is not included on the list of “special cases”. Sanctions are sanctions, but America still bought $6 billion worth of oil and gas from Russia last year, and also bought all sorts of other “little things”, such as aircraft titanium, outside the limits of restrictions.
On the one hand, this is good. The potential for putting pressure directly on Moscow is exhausted. But on the other hand, it is bad, since the question takes on the meaning of a principle for which even common sense retreats.
This means that the initiative of members of the International Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives Eliot Engel and Michael McCaul on the use of article 306 of the Chemical and Bacteriological Weapons Act of 1991 (CBW Act) against Russia “for Navalny” will continue.
Convinced of absolute American supremacy in the world and the consequent duty of the world’s policeman, the gentlemen simply cannot help it. Including Trump. Especially during the pre-election race, he must demonstrate to the nation the superiority of his fighting qualities.
They do not care who poisoned the main Russian opposition leader, what was used to do it, and why it was done (and whether or not it even happened). The Congressmen’s letter presents the fact as absolutely proven, which means that there will be sanctions.
Another question is that, with the exception of some inventions with export restrictions, the White House can no longer introduce anything serious against Russia. Consequently, a decision will be sought “according to the German” version, i.e. in the form of indirect sanctions against western companies that cooperate with the Russian Federation. And here is a positive prospect for Moscow.
The story of the attempt to announce US sanctions against the German port of Mukran made not only German politicians, but also serious European businesses think about the feasibility of maintaining “transatlantic solidarity”.
But not out of love for Russia. By simply closing the possibility of generating revenue from cooperation with the Russians, Washington does not provide any alternative income options. The world free for economic expansion is over.
Thus, the Oval Office itself puts not the Kremlin, but Europe before a choice: submit and die, or resist for a chance to survive. This is precisely what destroys the pan-European unity, which Moscow can practically not withstand alone. While playing at the same time on many separate boards is a completely different matter.
In general, of course, we will still be told what a horror these “even more severe” US sanctions are, but in reality they provide Russia with an opportunity to rebuild the global world on more profitable terms for us. Therefore, American sanctions against European partners should only be supported. And the more, the merrier.
RUSSTRAT Institute of International Political and Economic Strategies
Copyright © 2022. All Rights Reserved.