Western Policy of Russophobia, Sanctions Becoming Unprofitable for EU

SIMFEROPOL (Sputnik) — The Western policy of sanctions and Russophobia is becoming unprofitable for Europe, Crimean Prime Minister Sergei Aksenov said Wednesday.

In 2014, Washington, the European Union and several of their allies imposed a series of sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy, as well as a number of individuals and entities. The decision was sparked by Crimea’s reunification with Russia after a referendum in March 2014 and Moscow’s alleged interference in the Ukrainian conflict.

"Russia, as has happened many times before in its history, will survive any sanctions, any difficulties, it will come out even stronger after any challenges, more united and powerful. Europe, on the contrary, is experiencing a split, that is already impossible to hide. Russophobia is becoming unprofitable," Aksenov said at a meeting dedicated to the second anniversary of the historic March referendum.

The EU is scheduled to reconsider the economic sanctions regime against Russia in June, six months after deciding to prolong the measures.

In August 2014, in response to the Western sanctions, Moscow announced a one-year food embargo on products originating in states that imposed sanctions against it. The ban has since been extended.