The Russian government has announced retaliation for the sanctions imposed on the country by the West. "It goes without saying that retaliatory measures will follow," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. "How symmetrical or asymmetrical they will be will depend on the analysis of the restrictions" imposed on Russia.
At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Economy admitted that the sanctions will cause problems. However, these problems would be solved, Peskow explained. Russia has deliberately reduced its dependence on foreign imports in order to arm itself against the threat of sanctions. Economic relations with Asia are now to be expanded in order to cushion the consequences of the sanctions imposed by the West.
West imposes sanctions on Russia
The West had previously strongly condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine and imposed sanctions. US President Joe Biden announced punitive measures against several Russian banks and export controls, which he said will "cut off more than half of Russia's high-tech imports".
The EU heads of state and government also agreed on a package of sanctions. The measures affect the Russian financial, energy and transport sectors, the export of dual-use goods that can be used for civil and military purposes, the issuing of visas for Russian citizens and a number of "Russian individuals".
Selenskyj calls for tougher sanctions
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to world leaders to impose even tougher sanctions on Moscow and asked for direct aid to his country. "If you don't help us now, if you don't offer strong support to Ukraine, tomorrow war will knock on your door," the president said. Europe is strong enough to stop this aggression. "You can still stop this aggression. You have to act quickly," said Zelenskyj. All sanctions should be on the table, from an EU entry ban for Russians to Russia's exclusion from the international payment system SWIFT to an oil embargo.
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