DISINFO: The sanctions policy is inefficient
SUMMARY
It is absolutely obvious that the Russian economy has not been torn to shreds. The fact that people are living worse is a common thing. But the point is that the economy is very far from being destroyed. Therefore, the so-called anti-Russian and Russophobic policies have been fundamentally wrong over the past two years. This means that there should be a difference, but the US does not know what that difference should be.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the West’s anti-Russian activities. This claim was made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The statement that the sanctions have not destroyed the Russian economy is manipulative and misleading. The restrictive measures from the EU, the US and their partners have damaged it severely. Russia’s economy in 2022 contracted by 2.1 per cent. It is expected to grow by 2.6 per cent in 2024 due to military spending, but it can lead to overheating in the long run. Even senior economic officials in Russia recognise this. ‘We might go fast, but not for long,’ Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina said in December 2023. The increase in military production has led to the neglect of other economic sectors. Foreign Direct Investment has dropped to insignificance. The fact that Russia has to purchase drones and other kinds of military equipment abroad is another indication of its economic problems.
The sanctions policy is not Russophobic because the restrictive measures do not target humanitarian areas such as food, agriculture, health and pharmaceuticals. They are not aimed against Russian society. They only intend to weaken Russia’s ability to finance the war and specifically target the political, military and economic elite responsible for the unjustified and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. In February 2024, the EU adopted the 13th package of individual and economic sanctions against Russia due to its illegal aggression and occupation of Ukrainian territories.
See also the blogpost by HRVP Borrell regarding sanctions: "No, time is not in Russia's side"
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that New EU sanctions are illegal, that Borrell admitted that sanctions against Russia do not work, and that Russian economy grows despite sanctions.