2016-06-18 13:21:00

Amidst Russian recession, Putin urging end to European sanctions


(Vatican Radio) Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged European leaders to renew ties with his nation instead of imposing sanctions over Russia's controversial role in Ukraine. Putin spoke at a top economic gathering in St. Petersburg while the European Union extended for another year the punitive measures it imposed on Russia because of its annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and alleged support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Listen to Stefan Bos' full report:

With his country's economy facing its longest recession since he came to power, Putin reached out to the EU as his country faced a new round of sanctions.

Putin addressed the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where he met the president of the European Union's executive Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker and other officials. Juncker was the first leader of an EU institution to visit Russia since sanctions were put in place in 2014.

Their talks occurred while the EU extended sanctions on Russia to 2017, mainly because of its annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in March 2014. The EU is also worried about Russia's alleged military support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine in a conflict that has killed nearly 10,000 people.

EU-RUSSIA TRADE

Yet, Putin urged a resumption of Russian-EU trade. “Following the recent meetings with the business representatives from Germany and France, the European business wants and is ready to cooperate with our country," he noted. "Politicians should listen to business. Politicians should demonstrate how wise, far-seeing and flexible they are,” Putin added.

Putin stressed that Russia's ban on EU foodstuffs and other retaliatory measures were imposed "in response" to the EU sanctions, but that Moscow would like to improve relations.

And, he accused the United States of being the driving engine behind anti-Russian sanctions, saying they have done "little harm" to American companies while "badly hurting the Europeans".

RUSSIA SUPPORTING BREXIT?

He denied suggestions that Russia would benefit from Britain's possible decision to leave the European Union in a referendum next week. Putin also said the U.S. and its NATO military alliance allies ignore Russia's "legitimate interests" by expanding into Eastern Europe and building a U.S.-led missile defense shield which he claimed poses a threat to Russia.

But he left the door open to cooperate with the U.S. in Syria, saying new elections are crucial as part of efforts to end the conflict. However those remarks were somewhat overshadowed by comments by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov who accused the U.S. on Thursday of using terror group al-Qaida's branch in Syria to unseat Syrian President Bashar Assad's government.

Lavrov was commenting on US Secretary of State John Kerry's warning that Washington is losing its patience with Russia, as the U.S. and Russia-brokered ceasefire in Syria was at risk mainly due to violations by Assad's forces with Russian air support.








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