... this case they will estimate not a balance between relative and absolute benefits, but a balance between relative and absolute damage (it will be possible to reliably assess the scale of damage only by the fall or even by the end of 2022).
Now that the sanctions are aimed not at the EAEU itself, but at its two members (Belarus has also come under serious sanctions), the main damage to the Union will be caused by an economic decline in Russia.
Obvious risks include a synchronous devaluation of the national currencies after the ruble,...
... latest
anti-Russian sanctions
levied by Washington are unprecedented, and their inherent destructive potential could have severe consequences that extend far beyond U.S.–Russia relations. Whatever the economic fallout for Russia and other states, the sanctions pose a fundamental question about what the Russia–Europe–United States relationship could and should look like in the context of the new global configuration that is taking shape before our very eyes.
Until very recently, people were once again prophesying the fall of Europe, a belief popular among ...
... President Biden has spoken openly about the need to 'twist the Europeans' arms'."
Therefore, Chizhov added, "if the new administration goes in the opposite direction – that is, toward the easing and lifting of sanctions, I think that the EU's sanctions policy too will not last long and, accordingly, will be subject to a review."
In fact, the diplomat stressed, many in Europe are already prepared for such a revision, "and some have even made some steps toward accelerating it."
...
The European Union imposes sanctions against Russia only to demonstrate its unity, dean of the world economy and world politics department at the Higher School of Economics Sergey Karaganov told reporters on the sidelines of the Valdai Club meeting in the southern Russian city ...
... interview with the Izvestia daily.
"I would not like to speak about the future of sanctions, all the more to guess when and in which form their fate will be determined," the diplomat said. "We know that discussion (about anti-Russian sanctions) is scheduled for the EU summit in June, but this is not the subject of our negotiations and discussion with the EU," the permanent representative of the Russian Federation to the EU added.
"This is the problem they created, and they are to solve it," he said....
... which have caused an abrupt disruption of sustainable growth of economic turnover which we had been witnessing up to 2014. It means that amelioration also depends on decisions taken by people.
I presume everybody understands that Russia will not beg the EU to abandon sanctions. Besides, it would not even make sense as the EU is acting in unison with another well-known non-European state. Abrogation of sanctions is up to those who have devised and implemented them.
But let us try to imagine if amelioration happens ...
... out that finally, Russia needs to have a favorable international environment if it intends to modernize itself.
Further, Kortunov noted that the relations between Russia and the major players are not perfect to put it mildly.
“Russia is under sanctions from the US and the European Union,” he said. “Russia has very complicated relations with its neighbors in the West and has a crisis in relations with Turkey.”
These are the top challenges which are typical for any country in the world that is vulnerable ...
