Interfax: Naryshkin hopes Europe will understand risk of unwinding sanctions spiral
MOSCOW. Aug 8 (Interfax) – Russia’s response to the anti-Russian measures taken by the West was forced and further unwinding of the “sanctions spiral” is absurd and dangerous, Russian State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin said.
“As to the measures taken by Russia on the countries that initiated or support anti-Russia sanctions, they are a response aimed at protecting our citizens and the state,” Naryshkin told reporters on Friday.
“It’s not our choice, it’s a forced measure, but I really hope that sensible, reasonable European politicians will realize the absurdity and danger of further unwinding of the sanctions spiral,” he said.
Naryshkin said he believes the Western sanctions on Russia have nothing to do with supremacy of law. “They violate the basic free market principles, they contradict the entire previous experience of European democracy and they are nothing else than a tool of foreign policy blackmailing,” he said.
Naryshkin congratulated all current and former members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on the 65th anniversary of the organization. This date is especially significant now, if we remember why the Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly were created. The foundation documents talk not only about the protection of spiritual and moral values, but also about supremacy of law as a basic principle of true democracy,” Naryshkin said.
“This year showed that may PACE deputies have forgotten the value of law,” Naryshkin said. “I am really sorry that our common democratic ideals, values and principles, including the principle of open dialogue, are now sabotaged. This is indicated by the persistent wish of PACE to hear all the opinions about the causes and ways of resolving the crisis and stop the civil war in Ukraine,” he said.
“As to the decision made in April to deprive the Russian delegation of the right to vote in PACE, it is not in favor of freedom of expression,” he said.
