MOSCOW, September 21 (RIA Novosti) - Western sanctions could spur the development of Russian industry and the cooperation of Moscow with other nations, the head of the Kremlin administration Sergei Ivanov said in an interview published Sunday.
"In the defense [industry], and in other industries, the imposed sanctions could be a powerful incentive for our industries to take more active part in their own development, as well as in cooperation with the countries, which have not previously seen this cooperation," Ivanov said in an interview to Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper.
The official argued that the "shock therapy", experienced by some of the Russian industries due to the sanctions, could benefit them by making them search for new ways of development.
"Where the [food] products, the most crucial topic for the people, are concerned, I can see no possibility for our grocery shelves to become empty," he added.
The head of the presidential administration ironically added that the affluent Russian consumers of Western-made delicatessen can afford to fly to Europe to buy ones.
The European Union and the United States introduced several waves of sanctions, aimed particularly against oil, banking and defense sectors of Russian economy, following Russia's reunification with Crimea in March, accusing Moscow of meddling in the Ukrainian internal conflict. In response, Russia issued a one-year ban on importation of meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables and some other food products from the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and Norway.
