Western sanctions on Kremlin ‘aimed against ordinary citizens’
The former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has claimed that sanctions imposed on Russia are aimed “against ordinary citizens” and seek to make them “uncomfortable”.
In a statement on Telegram, Mr Medvedev, who is also the deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, said that Western sanctions on the country did not affect the Russian political elite and would not be “fatal” for big business.
He wrote: “The conclusion suggests itself disgusting – these sanctions are directed precisely against the people of Russia.
“And no matter what American and European grandparents mutter that we are punishing your bosses, but we love you, ordinary citizens, is pure nonsense.
“What is the purpose of the arrest of assets of the Central Bank of Russia and other state assets? Simple. To make the economy worse, to hit the rouble, increase inflation and unwind prices in stores, which means dropping the standard of living of an ordinary Russian.
“An embargo on the purchase of oil and gas from Russia? The same thing: to reduce budget revenues and force the state to abandon social obligations, including indexation of incomes. Hit the taxpayer in town and country.
“A ban on flights of our planes, on trips to many countries, a ban on the use of payment instruments – against whom? Again, against ordinary citizens, in order to make them uncomfortable.”
