Today at 00:03
It is necessary to clearly distinguish between the circumvention of sanctions by Russia and the supply system of the aggressor state in the face of economic restrictions. Russia can circumvent sanctions through any country, including the EU states. To stop this, it is necessary to completely break off trade relations with the Russian Federation. This opinion was voiced by political scientist Gela Vasadze on the FREEDOM TV channel.
“It is necessary to separate well, on the one hand, the circumvention of sanctions regarding electronics, microchips, and so on, and, on the other hand, Russia’s survival system during the period of sanctions. These are different things. And then all sorts of blunders are obtained. The opposition, our journalists are shouting that Georgia is helping to circumvent sanctions. Special representatives of the USA, Great Britain, the EU come and say: no, Georgia does not help to circumvent sanctions. And then the howl of our authorities begins, they say, we demand an apology from our opposition, from journalists. Therefore, you need to understand well that circumventing sanctions is one thing, and Russia’s supply system during the period of sanctions is quite another, ”said the guest on the air.
As for Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, this is a conditional path “from the Varangians to the Greeks” or vice versa. This is not a way to bypass not sanctions, but a way around the financial difficulties of the Russian Federation, Vasadze believes.
In his opinion, Russia can use the so-called “gray zones” to circumvent Western restrictions.
“The “grey zone” is Abkhazia, the so-called South Ossetia. That is, it is where the Russian military is present. Syria, of course, is also a gray area. It does not necessarily go through the territory of Georgia. But the fact that sanctions are bypassed through the “gray zones”, I am almost sure,” the guest of the air said.
Also, says Vasadze, there are large states that can provide the Russian Federation with loopholes regarding sanctions. The same China, but no one knows for sure.
“Here you need to turn to the intelligence services of the United States and European countries. This is very serious work. And we, journalists, bloggers, political scientists, just need to make a good distinction between the concepts of circumvention of sanctions and the system of Russia’s survival during the period of sanctions. The second is no better than bypassing restrictions. This is what helps Russia, the Russian regime. And to survive in this situation means to continue the war [against Ukraine] and continue to kill people,” Vasadze concluded.
According to the political scientist, the Russian Federation can circumvent sanctions through any country, including the EU countries.
“The biggest problem is political will. This is the only problem that exists. It is absolutely obvious to everyone: if any business in Russia is outlawed, and this is followed not by punishment, but by a break in economic relations, everything will end quickly. Roughly speaking, for a long time there has always been a trading network, and any countries from East to West. And if a person violated some of his trading word, they simply did not shake hands with him. They just didn’t do business with him. If they don’t deal with those who have business in Russia, then everything will end very quickly. Yes, it’s radical. But this is the only option. Of course, we are improving the system for monitoring and tracking illegal trade with the Russian Federation, smuggling. This is a big plus. But this plus is paid for by human lives, ”the political scientist shared his opinion.
