BOAO, China, March 28. /TASS/. Russia has redirected its export and import chains in response to European policies and is demonstrating growth, so Europe’s unwillingness to engage in trade is solely its own problem, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said at the Boao Forum for Asia.
The deputy prime minister noted that Russia has redirected its import and export flows, engaging in increased trade with countries such as China, those in the Global South, and other friendly nations.
"If Europe doesn’t want to trade with us, that's their problem. Our economy is growing and we’re watching the deindustrialization of Europe. We’re seeing the German economy stagnate. That’s a fact. It doesn’t make us happy," he said.
He agreed with the assertion that the current situation is the result of a disconnect between politicians and analysts in Europe. "They cut their costs on energy bills because cheap and reliable energy was provided by Russia. They cut their costs on consumer goods bills because consumer goods, cheap consumer goods, affordable consumer goods were provided by China. Their cost structure has changed because of the policies and they’re just bearing the consequences of those decisions," Overchuk concluded.