Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated in an interview with Radio Television of the Republic of Srpska that the sixth sanctions package on the import of Russian oil will harm the European Union more, while Russia will have an additional budget surplus due to rising energy prices.
– Given the price level established as a result of Western policy, we have no budget losses. On the contrary, this year we will significantly increase profits from the export of our energy resources – said Lavrov in a conversation with the entity’s Radio Television RS ahead of his visit to Belgrade.
The European Union agreed last week to introduce the sixth sanctions package, which includes a gradual suspension of imports of Russian oil. The Russian Foreign Minister noted that Moscow has already found alternative markets where it is increasing sales.
According to him, the sanctions themselves will most affect the standard of living of people in the Union.
– There is now no doubt that all these fifth and sixth packages have affected Europe. You said that the standard of living is falling there, inflation is rising, production growth has slowed down, and the term 'new poor' has emerged – added Lavrov. Regarding the war in Ukraine, he assessed that the country is 'a bargaining chip' manipulated by the United States and Great Britain to exhaust and defeat Russia.
