Economic Blockade, You Say? This is Why Russia is not Afraid of Sanctions

Renaud Girard, a well-regarded French journalist and author, has criticized European diplomacy for its approach to Russia, saying that instead of cooperating with Moscow with respect to global challenges, the countries of the EU have continued to adhere to the "erroneous policy of sanctions."

The West should adopt a proper political approach toward Moscow, because the "mediocre Juncker-Mogherini-Tusk trio" cannot handle European diplomacy, Girard told Le Figaro, France’s second most widely-circulated newspaper, in an interview.

According to the journalist, the problem with Western diplomacy is its ignorance of the Orthodox world, especially Russia.

"French [diplomatic efforts] should return Russia back to the European family of which Moscow has been an inherent part since the era of Peter the Great. Russia has always been part of Europe," he said.

As for the conflict in Ukraine, Girard believes that it could have been prevented if Europe’s leaders had reached a compromise with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The author added that the Normandy Four talks on Ukraine were a positive step, but the policy of sanctions has become another "costly mistake" for the West.

"Russia cannot be broken with sanctions. It is impossible to pressure a country which survived the 870-day siege of Leningrad," he said.

The final nuclear agreement on Iran and progress in the Syrian settlement have proven that Russia is a reliable partner. This is why anti-Russian sanctions should not be extended at the EU’s summer 2016 vote, Girard concluded.

The journalist also criticized France’s policy toward the Syrian crisis.

France made a mistake when it closed its embassy in Syria in March 2012, according to Girard.

"Diplomacy is for talking with adversaries, rivals and potential enemies to prevent a war in the event of contradictions. Diplomacy is not talking with friends," Girard said.

The other grave mistake Paris made was the stance it adopted toward Syrian President Bashar Assad, nearly equating him with the terrorist group Daesh.