Russian Deputy PM Laughs At Obama’s Sanctions -- ABC News
MOSCOW – Russia’s deputy prime minister laughed off President Obama’s sanction against him today asking “Comrade @BarackObama” if “some prankster” came up with the list.
The Obama administration hit 11 Russian and Ukrainian officials with sanctions today as punishment for Russia’s support of Crimea’s referendum. Among them: aides to President Vladimir Putin, a top government official, senior lawmakers, Crimean officials, the ousted president of Ukraine, and a Ukrainian politician and businessman allegedly tied to violence against protesters in Kiev.
It remains to be seen whether the sanctions will dissuade Russia from annexing Crimea, but one an early clue that they will not be effective came just hours later when President Putin signed a decree recognizing Crimea as an independent state, perhaps an early step towards annexation.
Read more ....
More News On EU - U.S. Sanctions Against Russia
Factbox: The 11 Russians and Ukrainians facing U.S. sanctions -- Reuters
Russia's 11: Who Are the Officials the U.S. Has Sanctioned? -- NBC
Western Countries Sanction Russian Officials Over Crimea Vote -- RIA Novosti
Crimea crisis: Obama targets sanctions at Vladimir Putin’s inner circle after independence vote but Russia moves towards annexation -- The Independent
U.S. targets 11 in first response to Crimea vote as Russia recognizes region’s independence -- Miami Herald/McClatchy News
Obama's Unserious Sanctions -- Wall Street Journal
Western sanctions deliver only a slap on the wrist to Mr. Putin -- Washington Post editorial
Europe analysts say sanctions won't dissuade Putin -- Luigi Serenelli and Oren Dorell, USA TODAY
My Comment: A disclaimer .... Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin was a regular reader and Twitter follower of this blog when he was Russian ambassador to NATO.
As to what is my own opinion on today's U.S.-E.U. sanctions announcement .... this is political theater. Putting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin on the list is a stretch .... and a part of me feels that he was put on because he spoke English and knew what buttons to press to cause a reaction from the West. Yelena Mizulina is on the list because as a Russian parliamentarian she has authored conservative legislation including a ban on the spread of "homosexual propaganda" among minors, which has upset Western governments. Andrei Klishas .... another Russian parliamentarian .... is on the list because he stated that a law was being drafted to allow the confiscation of property, assets and accounts of European or U.S. companies if sanctions were imposed .... his connection to Crimea is minimal.
As to what impact will sanctions have on the Russian economy .... they will have an impact but more in the long term. Capital markets will be reluctant to lend to Russia .... and international funds will be hesitant to invest in Russian markets. With time .... these measures will blow over .... if not sooner .... and some of these names will be taken off the list.
Update: I guess I spoke too soon .... sanctions are being ignored right now .... Russian investment group agrees $7 bln energy deal with Germany’s RWE -- RT
2 comments:
Is there anyone left in the world who DOESN'T laugh at the pronouncements coming out of Washington DC these days?
It's like having Botswana giving you a stern warning. The folks being threatened go "Who said what, now?" and go back to the serious business at hand.
What had been the United States is now a laughingstock.
Orion
It's being called a wrist slap, and Obama's Munich moment -- true political theater.
It's tough to be a leader of the world, and yet be powerless when things happen. The British went through it -- possibly then can offer some advice. (I doubt it.)
They still control the western media, so they can spin it.
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