Finance minister warns of global risks of anti-Russian sanctions

MOSCOW/WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS/BEIJING, Apr 21 (PRIME) -- Finance Minister Anton Siluanov warned the finance ministers and heads of central banks of the G20 countries about global risks of the anti-Russian sanctions, the Finance Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The situation in the international economy has worsened significantly. The extremely soft budget and monetary policies that the developed countries conducted last year created pro-inflationary pressure, and the sanction restrictions introduced on Russia not only strengthened it, but lead to new risks to the economy as well,” Siluanov said at the meeting as quoted by the ministry.

“The increase of prices for energy and agriculture products will mainly hit the emerging countries and the countries with low revenues, some of which will face not only economic problems, but serious social consequences as well.”

He called on the G20 countries to avoid politicization of dialogue and on the G20 to remain an economic meeting as it has always been.

Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said that the G20 countries supported prolongation of multi-lateral cooperation in the framework of the forum in spite of the criticism that Russia faces over the situation in Ukraine. Indonesia is the current chairman of the G20, and the U.S. and its allies demand that it rejects participation of Russian representatives in the forum, but other members stress the importance of further cooperation, she said.

“Some of the members expressed their concern about the economic consequences of the (anti-Russian) sanctions,” she said, adding that the situation in Ukraine and actions of other countries in this regard will hinder recovery of the global economy as they hurt international food security and global energy prices.

French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen said during the debates with her opponent and current President Emmanuel Macron that she was against the embargo on oil and natural gas from Russia.

“I stand for the humanitarian and financial aid to Ukraine as well as supplies of the means of defense … I agree with the sanctions on oligarchs and banks. The only sanctions that I disagree with is the embargo on supplies of gas and oil from Russia. I don’t think that it is a right way to go. It will not hurt Russia deeply, but it will hurt the French people,” she said.

Russia will find new markets to sell energy, while the French people and companies will face serious consequences, she added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said in his address to the Economic Forum for Asia in Boao that it would be wrong to try to kick any country of the world.

“All countries of the world are sailing in one large ship with a common destiny. If they want to weather the violent tide and continue their way to the better tomorrow, they have to act in one direction. It is unacceptable to try to throw someone into the sea,” he said.

The world should also reject the policy of double standards and exploitation of unilateral sanctions. The countries should adhere to the peaceful principle of solution of disputes between the countries through dialogue and consultations, he said.

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