MOSCOW, March 3. The extension by the President of the United States of anti-Russian sanctions due to the desire of Barack Obama to respond to the allegations in the loss of the initiative in competition with Moscow in resolving the Syrian crisis.
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Obama extended the us sanctions against Russia because of events in Ukraine
In addition, interviewed experts, the White house in its decision seeking to exert pressure on the countries of the European Union, where Mature sentiment in favor of revision of anti-Russian sanctions.
On the night of Thursday, U.S. President extended for one year the sanctions against Russia because of events in Ukraine. This is stated in common of the White house documents. “The actions and policies referred to in my decrees, continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security interests and foreign policy of the United States, – is specified in one document. – Therefore, I extend for one year the regime (sanctions) States of emergency”. Only against Russia because of events in Ukraine in 2014 was released three sanctions of the decree of the President of the United States. Sanctions were imposed against some Russian citizens, including officials, as well as against major companies and banks in the country, which imposed a ban on obtaining financial loans.
Expected step
According to the Director of the Institute of USA and Canada studies Valery Garbuzova, on the decision of Barack Obama to extend anti-Russian sanctions was primarily influenced by the ongoing U.S. campaign to elect a new President of the USA.
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In the current situation, when the Republicans are in the majority in both houses of Congress, when gaining points, the candidate in presidents from Democratic party Hillary Clinton, when Obama himself is a lame duck, he is forced to consider the totality of factors influencing domestic and foreign policy of America.
“In the atmosphere prevailing in the U.S. Russophobia Obama had to extend anti-Russian sanctions not to hurt his Democratic party and its prospects for victory in the presidential elections. He doesn’t want to be annoying and belligerent Republicans, especially their conservative part. It needs to consider the role of Donald trump – presidential candidate from the Republican party that represents a threat not only to the Democratic party, but for the entire political system of the U.S.,” Garbuzov said.
As suggested by the Deputy of the state Duma, President of the Foundation “Politics” Vyacheslav Nikonov, the extension of anti-Russian sanctions was expected step by the US. “Under the sanctions because of the amendment of Jackson-Vanik to the Act on U.S. trade, limiting trade with countries that prevent emigration of Jews, the USSR, and then Russia was from 1974 to 2012. Then entered into force sanctions on the Magnitsky case. Now extended sanctions in connection with the implementation of the Minsk agreements, which must comply with Kiev, not Moscow. In addition, the conditions for the cancellation of the White house anti-Russian sanctions have unrealistic requirements – the return of the Crimea Ukraine. We are not accustomed to using such tools of pressure”, – said the politician.
“Strategy of global dominance of the United States requires increased efforts to weaken Russia and does not promise any concessions to the growing power of our country”, – said Nikonov.
Who is affected
The head of the Institute of USA and Canada called the controversial views expressed in the media the argument that America’s European allies will be forced to “look” at the White house’s decision to extend anti-Russian sanctions and will act in the footsteps of Washington.
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“European business is sanctions far greater losses than the business American. In addition, the European Union is now facing a double blow of sanctions and migration. Therefore, it is possible that the emerging EU anticyclonic atmosphere will affect the US position, and not Vice versa. Although many colleagues disagreed with me,” said Garbuzov.
As an example, when Europe has influenced the revision of the U.S. relationship to Russia, he mentioned the situation with defusing tensions between the West and the USSR in the late 1960s. Then a process of détente began with the agreements of Moscow with the leaders of France and Germany, Charles de Gaulle and Willy Brandt, then he was joined by U.S. President Richard Nixon and Secretary of state Henry Kissinger, concluded a number of strategic agreements. It is not excluded that a similar story could be repeated in relation to the revision of Washington’s anti-Russian sanctions by the EU initiative, the expert believes.
Does not affect the interaction in Syria
According to the head of Fund “the Policy”, the extension of the sanctions will not affect the joint actions of Moscow and Washington on Syria and the fight against the terrorist “Islamic state” (IG, is prohibited in Russia). “That it is beneficial that the interest of the security of the United States, Americans from pragmatic considerations is ready to cooperate with Russia,” Nikonov believes.
Director of the Institute of USA and Canada also believes that cooperation between Washington and Moscow as co-chairs of the International support group Syria “can evolve independently of extending the anti-Russian sanctions”.
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All sanctions of the West against Russia
