RIA Novosti: Russian experts doubt US will impose sanctions on Ukraine

(RIA Novosti – December 12, 2013) Russian experts interviewed by the RIA Novosti news agency believe that by speaking about possible sanctions against Ukraine, the USA is trying to make Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych more compliant, the agency reported on 12 December.

Spokesperson for the US Department of State Jen Psaki has said that the US authorities are considering possible actions with regard to Ukraine, including sanctions.

Director-general of the Centre for Former Soviet Union Studies Aleksey Vlasov told RIA Novosti: “So far this has been a game, an attempt to put informational pressure on the leadership of Ukraine… It is not very clear whom sanctions will target… If, like in Belarus, they will target individual state officials and representatives of security forces, let’s say for unlawful use of force on Maidan [square in Kiev, focal point of protests], Yanukovich has already distanced himself from the decision to clear Maidan.”

He said he doubted that the USA would introduce sanctions. “I still regard this as a light blackmail or light pressure on Yanukovych. He has not crossed the red line. I can not imagine what formal legal pretext can be used to legitimize these sanctions,” the expert said. “The USA wants Yanukovych to be more compliant,” Vlasov said.

Director of the MGIMO Analytical Centre Andrey Kazantsev also believes that the US statement on possible sanctions can be seen as an attempt to pressure the Ukrainian leadership. He doubts that sanctions will be imposed. “So far this should be seen as a threat, certain pressure on Ukraine’s leadership, but these are not real sanctions,” the expert said.

Head of the State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Aleksey Pushkov tweeted on 12 December: “Obsessed by desire to ‘punish’ Russia for Ukraine, European Parliament is threatening us with Europe’s ‘Magnitskiy Lists’. But this will backfire on European Community itself.”