Germany calls EU sanctions against Russia insane

On December 16, the head of the German Council for Constitution and Sovereignty, Ralf Niemeyer, called the continued imposition of sanctions against Russia by the European Union (EU) insane.

He said the sanctions hurt European countries that continue to buy Russian oil.

"Insanity, it's like a coup d'état against our own industry," the RIA Novosti news agency quoted the politician as saying.

Niemeyer expressed the opinion that the imposed sanctions had no political effect on Russia. He noted that after the imposition of sanctions, Russia has established its own production of many goods, and now European companies want to return to the Russian market.

Earlier, on December 13, it became known that the foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) may approve the 15th package of anti-Russian sanctions on December 16.

In October, EP deputy Lebos Blaga said in an interview with "Izvestia" that sanctions against Russia mean a long-term prospect of economic suicide in Europe. He noted that restrictions against Russia do not harm it - they harm EU countries.

Western countries have tightened sanctions pressure on Russia in connection with the special operation to protect Donbass. The decision to launch it was announced on February 24, 2022 after the aggravation of the situation in the region.