Упрощенная HTML-версия
Author : Yu. Shafranik
Board Chairman, Union of Oil and Gas Producers of Russia
In the 1990s, this country has been in distress, as a result of col-
lapse of a great state. This hit us hard in both political and eco-
nomic terms. However, already in the 2000s, despite an
exacerbation in relations and the emergence of controversies
with the West, all our opponents could get behind the following
assertion: "Russia has been integrating into global political and
economic institutions on a systemic basis."
If Europe wants to discontinue the integration process, then it
has successfully attained the task. Throughout all its history, how-
ever, Russia would mobilize itself in similar circumstances.
Regarding the sanctions, their adverse effects will be felt till the end of 2015, in 2016 and a few
years to follow. So far they have not had any significant impact on the economic situation in this
country.
Russia will never cease to exist and will always be there. It will mobilize itself, radically improving
the quality of government administration in order to raise the efficiency of the country's life-sus-
taining activities, and, consequently, enhancing the responsibilities of senior government officials.
It is obvious, however, that a course pursued by EU leaders in Brussels has been largely based on
ideologically motivated reasoning and that their actions run counter to the interests of the peoples
of the EU member states.
Europe should be wary of America's invasion of its energy markets and should also fear China,
since China is a really big consumer and, more importantly, one of the largest manufacturers of
consumer goods.
Conceptually, Europe needs to solve two tasks. Its first task is to diversify its hydrocarbon.
Europe's second task is even more important, namely, entering the Middle East energy market, re-
gardless of a lack of stability in the region. And also without contributing to the situation's desta-
bilization.
When I was a fuel and energy minister, we signed with Ukraine a bunch of relevant official agree-
ments. The Ukrainian part has not fulfilled any of its commitments regarding the integration of
pipelines, gas transit and prices... Naturally, Russia was also at fault for all its acquiescence for the
"sake of friendship and stability in Ukraine." And this has backfired, leading to the emergence of
the North Stream, the South Stream, and the Turkish Stream projects. It was not Russia's free choice
to freeze vast sums of money in the above projects.
Generally speaking, the losing side by definition is Ukraine, and then comes Russia followed by Eu-
rope (which has refused to participate in the new pipeline projects without any reason whatsoever),
while the winning side is obviously China. In geostrategic terms, the country benefitting from this
exacerbation will be China.
Электронное приложение к журналу «
Международная жизнь
»
"The European Commission Stays Aloof From Reality, Particu-
larly in the Energy Sphere"