Opinion: Sanctions are destructive for both sides

Any sanctions are destructive. This is true not only for the countries against which sanctions are imposed but also for those who apply them because they undermine trust in international relations, political analyst Vadim Borovik said whose comments were published in the SB. Belarus Segodnya newspaper, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus once withdrew nuclear weapons from its territory under the guarantees of the international community, their major players. We were then promised that we would not be subject to political and economic pressure. As we can see, agreements do not mean anything in the international arena today. When sanctions are imposed by less influential countries, we must understand that most of them sing to someone else's tune. There are however specific beneficiary parties. Someone is fighting for markets, trying to get cheap workforce. Someone wants to eliminate competitors, get control over property, and, maybe, to make a part of another country their territory in the future. After all, all the wealth of Belarus is under state control. This helps the country earn on export, replenish the budget and attract investment in the country. If the state is weakened and the economy is destroyed, all this wealth can be taken away for nothing,” the expert said.

Vadim Borovik stressed that Belarus is ready for mutually beneficial trade and cooperation with all countries, including the EU. However, if any discriminatory measures are taken against our country, of course we must respond. “Belarus protects the EU from illegal migrants, drug trafficking and other threats. We can save the budget resources, send everyone directly across the border, and let Europe deal with them. You can see what problems with migrants they have today. Of course, we are not interested in it, but we are forced to take such measures. Let us not forget that we are in a political, economic and military alliance with the largest country in the world, quite influential in terms of economy and geopolitics. If we are able to properly select the levers we can push as a response to Western sanctions, it will be very sensitive for our neighbors. On the other hand, Belarusian enterprises, together with Russia and EAEU partners, will have an opportunity to pay more attention to the development of import substitution, the development of high-tech high-yield products and services and thus minimize dependence on those countries that are trying to influence Belarus through sanctions. Therefore, I see no point in our neighbors' attempts to create problems for themselves,” the political analyst concluded.