US sanctions Russia: "Not surprised if Moscow recalls ambassador"

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: RT

Experts interviewed by RT criticized the imposition of sanctions, nominally due to the alleged use of chemical weapons in the poisoning of former spy Sergei Skripal in the UK in March. Accordingly, Russia will be subject to the first set of measures from August 22, and has 90 days to assure the US that it will no longer deploy chemical weapons and open its chemical production facilities to international inspectors.

The problem is, Russia has denied using chemical weapons from the start and insists it destroyed its stockpiles in accordance with international treaties. “Russia cannot admit to something it did not do. It’s as if the US is asking Russia, ‘Show us your Yeti,’ and if you don’t, we will punish you. In fact, there is nothing to show,” said Vladimir Kornilov, a political analyst for the RIA news agency.

“The way the US has set the conditions for lifting sanctions – that we will lift them if you admit your mistakes and repent – ​​is so shameful and unacceptable that any response will have to be very tough,” said Andrey Kortunov, director general of the Russian International Affairs Council.

Leonid Polyakov, of Moscow's Higher School of Economics, said Washington must be aware that the Kremlin would never agree to its conditions, so presenting them in the first place was a worthless diplomatic posturing.

“Historically, Russia under the current leadership can never do two things. It can never change its officially stated positions on international issues and incidents – like the Skripal case. Russia will not turn around and say, ‘Sorry, we really poisoned him,’” the expert said.

“And secondly, Vladimir Putin will never accept any unilateral concessions. Any offers Moscow has made before have always been based on reciprocity,” Polyakov pointed out.

America "proves who is boss" or wins the hearts of the people?

All three experts agreed that not only would the sanctions be opposed, but they were unlikely to have any direct impact on Russia's international policies or its economic prospects.

So why enforce them?

Kortunov believes this is an attempt to regain prestige on the international stage, especially after the US failed to impose its will in Syria, worsened relations with Europe and China, and what was seen as Trump's softness in negotiations with Putin in Helsinki last month.

“This is an attempt to make a statement from the US leadership – to show who is the boss in international politics. Over the past two or three years, the role of the US commander-in-chief in world affairs has been questioned, and Russia has been chosen as the scapegoat when Washington tries to regain control,” Kortunov said.

For Polyakov, it’s all about “being tough on Russia” ahead of the US midterm elections in October. “Those pushing for these sanctions are not aware of the international consequences. They are motivated, first of all, by a desire to please their domestic audience, especially with the midterm elections coming up. Showing that you don’t owe Russia anything is an election move,” he said.

The political science professor added that the lack of ideas about how to contain an assertive Russia is pushing US officials to hit the sanctions button again and again.

“As the saying goes, when you don’t know what to do, do what you know. The international situation is such that no one can expect to get out without suffering losses. Everyone knows that sanctions don’t work. But it’s a simple, easy-to-understand tool, and one that the US has used extensively in the past. It’s almost a reflexive reaction now.”

Kornilov, however, believes that sanctions are not just a shield for the ruling elite, but also an offensive weapon. “It is clear that this is not the Skripal case, it is something else,” he said. “Sanctions have become a tool in economic and trade wars, and no one wants to hide this anymore.”

US President Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters

Is the situation getting worse?

With hostility between Moscow and Washington at a postwar high, Polyakov said it would be unrealistic for the two nuclear superpowers to continue escalating tensions.

“Any proposal to downgrade diplomatic relations would likely be more symbolic than practical, given the constant contact between Moscow and Washington not through diplomatic channels, but directly between government agencies, such as in Syria,” he said, referring to the military hotline that allows the two countries to operate together in the ongoing conflict there.

Kortunov was less optimistic. “I would not be surprised if the Russian ambassador to Washington is recalled as a reciprocal measure,” he said, adding that this could blow up any tentative plans between the two countries discussed at the Helsinki summit.

But Vladimir Kornilov is concerned not only about the steps taken by the US State Department, but also about a proposed new legislative initiative to prevent Russian banks from dealing with US counterparts, and plans to put the country on the list of sponsors of terrorism.

“This will not only worsen relations, but will correspond to the breakdown of diplomatic relations between Moscow and Washington. It will cross the line of what is acceptable. I hope the Americans will think rationally and step back from this brink,” the analyst stressed.