Medvedev: Russia to strengthen efforts to counter Western sanctions

Russia will continue to strengthen measures to protect its businesses from Western sanctions and defend its economic sovereignty, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said during a meeting on countering restrictions imposed on Russian companies.

Chairing the meeting, Medvedev said protecting Russian entrepreneurs abroad is directly linked to safeguarding the country's economic sovereignty and national security, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

"Our aim is to consistently ensure the protection of Russian entrepreneurs abroad. This issue is directly linked to the task of ensuring the state's economic sovereignty and security," he said.

Medvedev argued that Western sanctions, introduced since 2014 and expanded following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, have become comprehensive and systematic but have failed to paralyse the Russian economy.

He described the sanctions as part of what he called Western attempts to inflict a "strategic defeat" on Russia, adding that such efforts were destined to fail.

According to Medvedev, Russia has been subjected to a broad range of measures, including asset freezes, asset seizures, sectoral restrictions and export controls. He accused the European Union, the United States, Japan, Canada and Australia of leading the sanctions campaign and of harming the interests of Russian businesses.

Medvedev also called for what he described as an "active defence" against sanctions, saying Russia should continue challenging restrictions through legal channels while adopting domestic measures to protect its interests.

"We are appealing to the courts and, naturally, taking domestic decisions, including those adopted by the President of the Russian Federation," Medvedev said, adding that such efforts should be further systematised to strengthen Russia's position and expand its influence internationally.

By Sabina Mammadli