Official: Russia mulls retaliatory measures to US sanctions

MOSCOW, May 31 (PRIME) -- Russia is studying the possibility of economic sanctions against the U.S. in response to Washington's steps, the main thing is not to harm Russian companies, Dmitry Birichevsky, director of the Foreign Ministry’s department of economic cooperation, told PRIME in an interview released on Monday.

On April 15, the U.S. slapped sanctions on 32 Russian individuals and organizations. In addition, U.S. financial institutions were banned from participating in the primary market for Russian government bonds issued after June 14. Apart from that, Washington announced it was expelling 10 employees of the Russian diplomatic mission.

“Of course, we are constantly exploring the possibility of such response measures,” Birichevsky said.

“The diplomatic steps that have been implemented are well known, and as for economic retaliatory measures, the main thing for us is not to harm our own producers, not to harm our companies. And where there is room for cooperation, I think we need to continue interaction. This is exactly what our opponents do, as they say they will cooperate with Russia where it is beneficial. So, we will cooperate with the West where it is beneficial for us,” Birichevsky added.

Speaking on other issues, he said it is important for Russia to protect itself in case of disconnection from global payment systems, but it should not strive for this itself.

“I'm not sure that we need an end in itself in the form of independence from global payment systems – we need to be able to realize our own interests, make payments and settlements for trade operations. If such a disconnection occurs, it is important to be prepared for this, but we should not to strive for this,” Birichevsky said.

“In fact, I’m sure that we will not be disconnected from SWIFT in the near future, or maybe never, but even if this happens, then we are ready to be able to pay for goods and services with our main partners, in any case it is necessary. Moreover, not only we are interested in this, but also those who trade with us,” he added.

Birichevsky also said Russia has no goal to suspend gas supplies through Ukraine with the launch of the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline, and supplies will continue as long as the relevant contracts are in force.

“Now the contract is valid, and then there will be negotiations between Gazprom and its partners in Ukraine. We have no task to suspend gas supplies through Ukraine. Russia has never used energy and its natural resources as an element of pressure or blackmail. If economic entities reach an agreement, if there is a need for Russian gas in certain European regions, then gas will be delivered to consumers in a safe and predictable manner,” he said, stressing that the Nord Stream-2 is an exclusively economic project.

End