PARIS, May 31. /TASS/. The European Union’s new sanctions will hit Europeans harder than they will hit Russia, which will continue selling its energy resources in other markets, a French politician said in an interview with France Inter radio.
"I can say, that many French families and companies will be hard hit by the energy sanctions, which have so far had no major effect on Russia," said National Rally party leader Jordan Bardella. "Let me remind you that the sanctions have been a failure. Russia is continuing to receive windfall revenues from its energy exports, and the ruble has strengthened considerably."
Bardella, who temporarily replaced Marine Le Pen as party leader ahead of the presidential elections in France, said the EU embargo would not prevent Moscow from selling oil to India or Egypt, though at a discounted price. More attractive tariffs Russia would have to offer its new clients can endanger France’s competitiveness, he added.
The EU leaders reached an agreement on Monday on the sixth package of sanctions against Russia, which includes a partial embargo on oil supplies and cutting Sberbank off from SWIFT.