Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 24
By Elmira Tariverdiyeva - Trend:
The relations between Russia and the West have come to a deadlock, the chairman of the Foreign and Defense Policy Council, editor-in-chief of the 'Russia in Global Affairs' journal, Fyodor Lukyanov, said Nov. 24 at a press conference at the Trend Agency in Baku.
Ukraine has become a powerful catalyst leading to the explosion of contradictions and mutual irritation of the parties that have accumulated throughout many years Lukyanov added.
He believes the conflict between Russia and the West will last a long time and that in these relations, there is a situation that experts have not seen in many years. Not in terms of its intensity so much as in the sense of a complete lack of interest in fixing it.
Lukyanov said it is unclear how to find a way out of this situation, as a step backwards might be viewed as the beginning of a new "collapse" for Russia. Everyone understands that it is possible to manoeuvre, but impossible for them to retreat.
"The economic sanctions against Russia are certainly a serious tool," the expert added.
He said, everyone today is waiting for the announcement of a new economic development strategy for Russia he said.
It is obvious that Russia's domestic development model needs to be updated, as Russia has recently reached a certain impasse Lukyanov said. The current situation poses a huge number of risks for Russia on one hand, but on the other hand, it gives opportunities to change something.
"However, it must be remembered that it is possible to rely only on the patience and endurance of the Russian people, but not indefinitely," Lukyanov said.
The West is accusing Russia of organizing supplies of heavy weapons to Ukraine and exacerbating civil crisis, which is why the country is facing sanctions.
Edited by CN
Elmira Tariverdiyeva is Trend Agency's staff writer
You can follow her on Twitter @EmmaTariver