Putin calls on Europe to ‘bring back trust’
Print Edition
RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin yesterday called on European leaders to improve ties with his country despite sanctions after meeting European investors who said they want to expand their businesses there.
Speaking at Russia’s top economic conference, Putin said German and French investors had expressed plans to invest more in Russia despite the weight of the sanctions, some of which the European Union extended as Putin was speaking.
“Politicians should meet the businessmen halfway, show wisdom, long-term thinking and flexibility,” Putin said. “We need to bring back trust to Russia-European relations and restore the level of cooperation.”
He said Russia didn’t need a new Cold War and that the country’s policy is “aimed at cooperation.” He made a point, however, to stress that Russia’s ban on EU foodstuffs and other retaliatory measures were done “in response” to EU sanctions.
As Putin was delivering his speech at the St Petersburg Economic Forum, the EU extended for another year some of its sanctions targeting Russia. After the EU first imposed sanctions two years ago, Moscow retaliated by banning imports of meat, vegetables and dairy products from the EU.
The EU also has other sanctions targeting Russia more directly, limiting access to capital markets, banning arms trade and containing Russia access to sensitive oil industry technologies. It also has asset freezes and travel restrictions on 146 people and 37 entities.
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