Counter-Sanctions Law Passes in State Duma: Retaliation for America’s Grandstanding
The law on counter-sanctions has been unanimously approved by the State Duma. So far, in the first reading. In doing so, members of parliament are asked to keep at least three points in mind. They have been waiting for a long time, it's up to the president and the government to decide whether to introduce sanctions and the measures must be designed not to affect Russian citizens.
Denis Davydov with the details.
Vyacheslav Volodin: "Congratulations! The bill has been unanimously adopted on the first reading".
A rare case of unanimity — everyone voted for it. There can't be any other opinion when it comes to the question of protecting national interests. Russia will respond to the sanctions of the US and the countries that support the restrictions.
Vyacheslav Volodin, chair of State Duma: "The US's sanctions are of an unfriendly nature. More than 400 legal entities and 200 citizens have been affected by them. We provide a broad range of powers to our president and the Russian government to protect our country, economy, and workplaces".
The State Duma claims the government has acquired a powerful political weapon. They are free to choose which restrictions to impose in response to unfriendly measures from abroad. The new laws will be specifically structured to exclude certain wares or brands. They will also be adjusted according to almost 80 comments from experts. Medications became the sticking point. The final legislation won't restrict their import.
Yuri Afonin, Communist Party of Russia: "There are some vitally important medications which we can't yet produce and replace. We won't let our restrictions allow some state or private companies to monopolize the industry. Our measures aren't designed to protect a specific group of people. They are designed to protect our market and our people".
Russians who promote the sanctions can now be prosecuted. The parliament is considering the necessary amendments to the penal code. A person can receive up to four years in prison for the execution of the USА's rules in Russia.
Sergey Mironov, A Just Russia: "If some company or individual person decides to follow the rules of Washington on our sovereign territory it should be considered a criminal act".
The vice chair of the State Duma Igor Lebedev is basically ready to file a complaint with police. He's included in the USA's sanction list. The Russian Bank allegedly doesn't need a client like him.
Igor Lebedev, Liberal Democratic Party of Russia: "The Russian Bank has made it repeatedly clear that I should close my accounts because I'm on the sanction list and this fact has a negative impact on the bank's reputation. In accordance with your new project can I press charges against this bank?"
Andrey Isayev, United Russia: "We adopt this legislation in order to protect your rights as a citizen. Now, every violation of your rights based on the fact that you're on the sanction list will be prosecuted".
This new legislation will protect thousands of Russian citizens because sanctions affect certain industries as well. Our top industries with lots of employees are having a hard time. Right now, the counter-sanctions are the top priority of the State Duma. Today was the first reading, the second one will be held two days later. By the end of May, the legislation might be submitted to the Federation Council.
Denis Davydov, Renat Goreyev, Gennady Korneyev, and Anna Kolk Vesti, the State Duma