NYT assessed the impact of anti-Russian sanctions on the ruble

Western sanctions, which were aimed at weakening the ruble, have failed to meet expectations. The New York Times (NYT) reported on January 2.

"The forecasts made in the first months of the conflict that economic restrictions would soon <...> turn the ruble into ruins have not come true," the publication said.

It is noted that cooperation with China and India through oil sales and trade expansion helped Russia cope with the sanctions. According to the authors of the article, the sanctions "have had less impact than many had hoped," which is why U.S. politicians have begun to think about the expediency of their use.

In addition, one of the interviewed experts noted that without the imposition of sanctions on Russia, the Russian military would have already won the conflict in Ukraine.

Plus everyone: who was hit by the new EU sanctions

And why the approval of another package speaks of Russia's successful resistance to Western pressure

Earlier, on December 27, British military analyst Alexander Mercouris noted that Europe is punishing itself with each new sanction.

At the same time, Helsinki University professor Tuomas Malinen criticized the head of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen for the fact that she is ready to impose anti-Russian sanctions to the detriment of Europeans and that entering into a conflict with Russia is more important to her than serving the citizens of the EU.

On December 25, the head of a venture capital fund in Silicon Valley named the confiscation of Russian assets as the likely cause of a U.S. default. The businessman called the policy toward Russian assets a short-sighted political choice that in exchange for short-term gains will bring the West big long-term problems.

December 16, EU foreign ministers finally approved the 15th package of economic and individual sanctions against Russia. It is noted that the list of sanctions included 54 individuals and 30 organizations. Also 52 ships were added there, which are subject to a ban on access to the port and a ban on the provision of a wide range of services related to maritime transportation.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the 15th package of restrictions illegal and pointed out that it threatens global energy security.

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 situation in the region worsened due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.