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Nss staff translation and commentary
The reader may recall the sanctions that were first imposed against Russia for allowing Crimea to accede to them instead of condemning them to continue as part of a hostile Kiev regime, did not have the desired effect. In fact, Russia imposed countersanctions against the EU and refused to buy produce from EU members, such as apples from Poland and fruit from Greece as long as the EU kept the sanctions in place. As a substitute for these imports, Russians boosted its home farm output. The government also encouraged deeper diversification of production. As a result, Russia has prepared the way for a permanent reduction in purchases from the EU. Russian farmers interviewed by their msm begged the US not to relax the sanctions! Back in April 2016 already, Reuters reported that Russia had successfully skirted the intended effects of the sanctions with loans from China. A side effect of the unsuccessful attempt to cripple the Russian energy sector was that China and Russia were pushed closer together – at a time when the West had been attempting to drive a wedge between them. They joined in an unofficial military alliance as well. It was a reminder to the US to be careful what they wish for, but they remain unfazed so far, proceeding – you might say – down the same path to oblivion. China understands that if Russia is harmed by Western sanctions, it could be next in line for the same treatment so it is not about to abandon the policy of coming to Russia’s aid. It also has a vested interest in a strong Eurasia, including the BRICS, which includes Russia. Now with a new round of sanctions in the US Senate pipeline, European businesses seem undaunted by Uncle Sam’s plans to punish Russia for emerging the victor in the Syrian war started by the West and not cheerfully accepting the murder of its allies. Following is New Silk Strategies’ translation of the latest report on the effects of Russian sanctions. Obviously, Europe is not buying into the feeding frenzy targeting Russia, which is one of their biggest trading partners. At what point will they finally tell the US to shove it and go it alone? There are already rumblings in the highest places in Germany, the EU’s de facto leader. http://www.german-foreign-policy.com/de/fulltext/59624 German-Foreign-Policy Newsletter of 6-23-2017 - German-Russian boom BERLIN / MOSCOW (Own report) - Regardless of yesterday's extension of the EU’s Russia sanctions, there has been a tangible uptick in Germany’s business with Russia for the first time in years. As indicated by current data from the Federal Bureau of Statistics, German exports to Russia rose by nearly a third in the first quarter of 2017; an annual growth of at least ten percent is expected. At the same time, investment in Russia is clearly increasing; the Daimler Group announced on Tuesday that the foundation stone had been laid for a plant near Moscow worth close to 250 million euros. Conversely, Russian oil company Rosneft has also announced the investment of 600 million euros in Germany. This could further boost the group’s market power in the Federal Republic of Germany, which now accounts for a quarter of German crude oil exports. Meanwhile, the dispute over the Nord Stream 2 pipeline is heating up – not least because of new sanction plans from Washington; the project would further weaken the Ukraine, eliminating transit charges worth about two billion euros annually.
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