MOSCOW, September 1 (RIA Novosti) - Sanctions imposed by the Western countries against Russia due to the situation in the east of Ukraine will be ineffective, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman Dianne Feinstein said in an interview with the US TV channel NBC.
"People say, 'Well, just wait till the sanctions bite and the economy slips.' I don't think so. The Russians are very brave and very long-suffering, and they will tough out any economic difficulty," Feinstein said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has the support of Russian citizens, so the Western sanctions will not affect the attitude of the population to the ongoing policy of Moscow, the senator said. The best strategy for the settlement of the situation in the east of Ukraine will be direct talks with the Russian leadership, Feinstein said.
The relations between Russia and the West have deteriorated due to the situation in Ukraine. In late July, the EU and the United States have introduced sanctions against entire sectors of the Russian economy. In response, Russia has restricted food imports from countries that have imposed sanctions against it, namely the United States, the EU member states, Canada, Australia and Norway. The ban included beef, pork, poultry, sausages, fish, vegetables, fruits, dairy and some other products.
