MOSCOW, June 15. /TASS/. US attempts to sever ties between Russia and European countries turned out futile, Russian State Duma Speaker Sergey Naryshkin said on Wednesday.
"All US attempts to sever ties between Russia and European countries turned out futile," Naryshkin said. "Despite barriers put up by the European Union on the orders of others, we see movement toward restoring contacts in the economic and political spheres. European parliamentarians not only talk in favor of lifting restrictions on the path of cooperation with our country, but also vote for corresponding resolutions," he added.
"Even German Chancellor [Angela Merkel] remembered about her adherence to the concept of common space from Lisbon to Vladivostok," he concluded.
Russia’s unity cannot be crossed out by anti-Russian propaganda
According to Naryshkin the unity of Russia and its historical victories cannot be crossed out by anti-Russian propaganda.
"Yes, we also sustain losses, but Russia’s unity and historical victories cannot be crossed out by anti-Russian propaganda," he said.
"The results of the Crimean referendum cannot be rewritten, just like two-and-a-half centuries of its history as part of Russia cannot be forgotten," Naryshkin noted.
One foreign expert "noted that two-and-a-half centuries is almost the period of time compatible with the time of existence of the United States of America," the Duma speaker added. "That’s why they should not teach us or our European partners, we will figure it out by ourselves," he stressed.
"Without Russia, the European family of peoples is unthinkable," Naryshkin concluded.
Deputies of State Duma of 7th convocation may find themselves under US sanctions
The top official has also noted that deputies of the State Duma of the seventh convocation may find themselves under US sanctions just like their colleagues today.
The deputies of the sixth convocation "achieved serious results in parliamentary diplomacy together, Naryshkin said reminding that only around 10 days are left before plenary sessions end. "We acted not only professionally but also in good conscience. The main thing is that we relied on the opinion of our citizens," he stressed.
"If someone overseas still dreams that it will be different in the State Duma of the seventh convocation, they should start making new black lists right away that will include candidates to the State Duma of the seventh convocation. I am deeply convinced that most of them love Russia, and that’s precisely what people will vote for on September 18," Naryshkin noted.
Western sanctions, Russian response
The West, inspired by the United States, subjected Russian officials and companies to the first batch of sanctions, including visa bans and asset freezes, after Russia incorporated Crimea in mid-March 2014 after a coup in Ukraine in February that year. New, sectoral, penalties against Russia were announced in late July 2014 over Moscow’s position on Ukrainian events, in particular, what the West claimed was Russia’s alleged involvement in hostilities in Ukraine’s embattled south-east.
Russia responded with imposing on August 6, 2014 a ban on imports of beef, pork, poultry, fish, cheeses, fruit, vegetables and dairy products from Australia, Canada, the EU, the United States and Norway. The Russian authorities have repeatedly stressed that Crimea reunified with Russia voluntarily after a referendum and that Moscow is not involved in hostilities in the south-east of Ukraine.