Russia able to withstand EU's toughest sanctions scenario

Russia able to withstand EU's toughest sanctions scenario

Russia’s Economic Development Ministry has drafted three variants of forecasts of the country’s economic development in case sectorial sanctions are imposed against Moscow over the situation in Ukraine, Russian Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said Saturday.

"We have developed three variants which differ by the degree of toughness. The first variant includes luxury articles, caviar, furs, the second one is tougher and the third one includes the entire complex - metals, fertilizers, oil, gas and so on, taking into account the factors of price and volume," Ulyukayev said.

Lavrov to meet with Germany, France, Ukraine's FMs in Berlin

Lavrov to meet with Germany, France, Ukraine's FMs in Berlin

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov is expected to take part in a meeting Wednesday with the Foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Ukraine. The talks are to take place in Berlin and are aimed to boost efforts towards settling the Ukrainian crisis.

Russia's Foreign Ministry official said on Tuesday night that Lavrov, during a telephone conversation with his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier, had welcomed the idea of meeting in such a format:

Moscow Prepares for Trilateral Consultations on Ukraine's EU Association

Moscow Prepares for Trilateral Consultations on Ukraine's EU Association

Moscow is making ready for ministerial consultations on Ukraine’s EU association and expects a constructive approach from partners, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday. "We would like to point out that the Russian side is preparing for trilateral consultations at ministerial level on Ukraine’s association with the EU in July. We expect our partners to demonstrate a responsible and constructive approach that will help alleviate Russia’s quite real and not imaginary, concerns," the Ministry said in a statement published on the official website.

Ukraine, Georgia and Moldavia signed the economic section of European Union Association Agreements this Friday. Russia has on numerous previous occasions expressed concerns about this, worrying that it might cause an uncontrolled influx of goods and warning that the country would be forced to protect its markets.