The REC pointed to the use of sanctions to eliminate competitors

Sanctions against Russia are used not only as a political tool, but also as a way of unfair competition. Veronika Nikishina, CEO of the Russian Export Center (REC), told Izvestia on June 4 at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

"In fact, all the sanctions that have been imposed are being imposed and, unfortunately, will be imposed, all these sanctions are aimed "for political reasons" simply to eliminate competitors in unfair ways," she said.

According to the head of the REC, political rhetoric often serves as a cover for attempts to weaken a strong competitor. Nikishina explained that restrictions appear especially quickly in those areas in which the Russian side demonstrates advantages.

According to Nikishina, such a situation should be treated calmly, while the state should rely on its own strength and independently solve the tasks facing the country.

"Except for us, no one will solve our problems, our tasks for us. To think that someone wants Russia to be a strong country, a strong economy, would be quite irresponsible," Nikishina stressed.

The CEO also added that in the current conditions, it is important to assume that external pressure will continue, which means that Russia needs to develop its own capabilities and protect its competitive position.

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On the same day, Maxim Oreshkin, deputy head of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation, noted that Russia needs to move away from the defensive model in relations with Western countries, and also not wait for the lifting of sanctions against the country. According to him, the economy of Western countries is in a shaking and fever, and it is partially transferred to the Russian Federation, as well as to the whole world.

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov also said that the changes taking place in the global economy are fundamental, so expectations of lifting sanctions and returning to the previous model of relations are erroneous. He pointed out that Russia should not count on the return of the previous conditions of interaction with the West.