logo
Putin aide gives verdict on new EU sanctions

Putin aide gives verdict on new EU sanctions

Russia Today18-07-2025
EU sanctions on Russia are far more damaging to the bloc's member states than they are to Moscow, presidential investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev said on Telegram on Friday.
Brussels announced the adoption of its 18th package of sanctions against Russia earlier in the day, targeting the country's hydrocarbon exports and banking sector.
One of the financial institutions sanctioned was the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), of which Dmitriev is the CEO.
According to the presidential envoy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pushed for sanctions on the fund because the RDIF 'facilitates the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, promotes dialogue between Russia and the United States, and invests in the growth of the Russian economy.'
The EU elite is afraid of peace and continues to remain captive to hostile narratives, destroying the economy of the entire EU with its own hands.
The economic restrictions are destructive to bloc member states, depriving them of stable energy supplies and access to the Russian market, Dmitriev argued.
'Last year, despite all the sanctions pressure, Russia's GDP grew by 4.3%, versus a 0.7% growth rate in the Eurozone,' he said.
The RDIF calls for 'unwinding the sanctions spiral,' Dmitriev said. He argued that, despite the imposition of more than 30,000 sanctions against Russia, the measures have failed to force Moscow into acting 'in opposition to Russian national interests.'
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Moscow has developed 'a certain immunity' to the Western sanctions.
According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, such unilateral economic restrictions harm the economies of the very states that turn to them. 'The more sanctions are imposed, the greater the damage to the imposers,' at the Eurasian Economic Union summit in Minsk last month.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Moscow supports Africa in struggle against neocolonialism
Moscow supports Africa in struggle against neocolonialism

Russia Today

time7 minutes ago

  • Russia Today

Moscow supports Africa in struggle against neocolonialism

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has expressed strong support for African political parties engaged in the fight against neocolonialism and reaffirmed Russia's commitment to strengthening political dialogue and cooperation across the continent. The remarks were delivered on Saturday in a message to the Liberation Movements Summit in South Africa. Medvedev, who currently serves as deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council and head of the United Russia party, stated his belief that African political parties, shaped by their longstanding struggle against imperialism, will continue to serve as a powerful political force, as well as 'a guarantor of stability and socio-economic progress in their countries for many years to come.' He emphasized that United Russia places a high priority on partnerships with African political parties, 'particularly on the issue of combating neocolonialism, whose ideologues – the former colonial powers – continue their attempts to subjugate the free peoples of Africa, whose representatives have gathered on South African soil.' According to Medvedev, United Russia remains fully committed to supporting initiatives that advance a multipolar world order built on the principles of equal partnership and national sovereignty. He highlighted that many of the organizations represented at the summit have maintained longstanding ties with his party and share a common vision of global development free from external domination. Speaking to RT on the sidelines of the summit, ANC Treasurer General Dr. Gwen Ramokgopa said that the movements must adapt to remain relevant and need to shift from political liberation to pursuing 'economic emancipation and shared prosperity.' The Liberation Movements Summit, which is being held over July 25-28, has gathered representatives from parties such as South Africa's ANC, Mozambique's FRELIMO, Namibia's SWAPO, Zimbabwe's ZANU-PF, and Tanzania's Chama Cha Mapinduzi. In November, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized Western economic practices in Africa as 'pure neocolonialism,' accusing Western companies of extracting resources while keeping the profits abroad. He noted a growing resolve among African nations to break free from economic dependence and reclaim control over value-added processes.

EU-US tariff deal a ‘positive' development – Italy's Meloni
EU-US tariff deal a ‘positive' development – Italy's Meloni

Russia Today

time2 hours ago

  • Russia Today

EU-US tariff deal a ‘positive' development – Italy's Meloni

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, one of the closest European allies of US President Donald Trump, has welcomed the EU's trade deal with Washington despite criticism of the terms at home. After months of talks, the EU has reached a trade agreement with the US that sets a baseline 15% tariff on most exports, including cars, while steel and aluminum remain at 50%. The deal was reached at a meeting between Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday. Both called it a 'powerful' and 'stabilizing' breakthrough. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Meloni called the agreement a positive development. 'I think it's positive that there's an agreement,' Meloni, who had previously criticized Trump's tariff drive and pledged to pursue a zero-for-zero deal, said. Italy is one of Europe's top exporters to the US, with a trade surplus exceeding €40 billion ($46 billion). Opposition leaders, however, slammed Meloni for failing to secure better terms. Five Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte wrote: 'There is a winner – US President Trump – and a loser, or rather two: The EU and Giorgia Meloni.' He warned the tariffs could cost Italy €23 billion in exports and threaten 100,000 jobs. Democratic MEP Stefano Bonaccini echoed the criticism, saying, '15% tariffs are better than 30% but worse than zero,' and warned of 'tens of billions' in losses. Former Labor Minister Andrea Orlando called the deal a 'rip-off,' saying Meloni's friendship with Trump failed, while slamming von der Leyen as 'either incompetent or acting in bad faith.' Meloni defended the deal, saying it helped avert a 'head-on clash' with the US. She argued that the 15% tariff is 'sustainable' as it will not add to previous tariffs, but will bring 'stability.' Economists at the Kiel Institute warned of a drop in production and job losses across the EU, with Germany expected to take the biggest hit. The Federation of German Industries (BDI) called the deal an 'inadequate compromise,' with the 'only positive aspect' being the prevention of further escalation.

US-EU trade deal is ‘fiasco'
US-EU trade deal is ‘fiasco'

Russia Today

time3 hours ago

  • Russia Today

US-EU trade deal is ‘fiasco'

The new EU-US trade agreement is an economic and political 'fiasco' that undermines the bloc's sovereignty, veteran right-wing French politician Marine Le Pen has said. The agreement, finalized by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and US President Donald Trump on Sunday, averted a full-blown trade war between Washington and Brussels. Under its terms, the EU will commit to increased imports of US energy and military equipment, while the US reduces its proposed 30% tariffs to a flat 15% on most European exports. Le Pen, a key member of France's National Rally party, the largest opposition group in the National Assembly, condemned the deal, calling it 'a political, economic and moral fiasco' for the EU. 'Politically, because the European Union, with 27 member states, obtained worse conditions than the United Kingdom,' she said, referring to the fact that the UK agreed to 10% tariffs – which was widely regarded as a bad deal. Le Pen also accused Brussels of accepting unequal terms on exporting American gas and weapons that she claimed no patriotic French government would have agreed to. 'This is an outright surrender for French industry and for our energy and military sovereignty.' She added that the deal sacrifices the interests of French farmers to benefit Germany's automotive industry, pointing to 'clauses forcing us to further open the single market to American agricultural products in exchange for reduced taxes on German automobile exports.' 'This globalization that denies and shatters sovereignty has been outdated for many years… The least that could be done is to acknowledge this stinging failure rather than asking the French, who will be its first victims, to rejoice in it.' Le Pen's criticism was echoed by former Belgian Prime Minister and MEP Guy Verhofstadt, who called the agreement 'scandalous' and 'a disaster,' which failed to secure any concessions from the American side. Trump described the agreement as 'probably the biggest deal ever reached in any capacity, trade or beyond trade.' Von der Leyen said the deal brings 'certainty in uncertain times,' adding that a 15% rate 'is the best we could get.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store