Russia should stop waiting for West to lift sanctions—Kremlin official

Russia should not expect Western sanctions to be lifted or a return to pre-sanctions conditions,  Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Maxim Oreshkin said during a session at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

Speaking at the forum, Oreshkin argued that the restrictions imposed by Western countries reflect broader structural changes taking place in the global system rather than responses to specific events.

“We should not expect a return to the old reality or the lifting of sanctions imposed by Western countries. The changes taking place are fundamental and global in nature, and the sanctions are not tied to any specific events,” Oreshkin said.

According to the Kremlin official, the current sanctions regime is linked to ongoing transformations in the international order and should be viewed in the context of long-term global trends.

The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is taking place from June 3 to June 6 in Russia’s second-largest city. Organizers expect approximately 20,000 participants from more than 100 countries to attend the event.

This year's program includes over 300 business and policy discussions focusing on economic development, international cooperation, investment, and other key global issues.

By Vafa Guliyeva