Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs lashed out regarding new sanctions imposed by the United States against the major Russian arms exporter Rosoboroneksport and two other companies.
Russia's “middle-ground” position of agreeing to discipline Iran but continuing to sell arms to Tehran, condemning its nuclear program but contributing to its further advancement, is logically deficient and morally indefensible. The more public attention is brought to Rosoboroneksport, the less it looks like a victim of “unjust and unfair” treatment, as Russian parliamentarians rushed to claim, and the more it comes out as a culprit involved in barely legal politicized mercantilism. This policy is being practiced by the Kremlin in different variations, including the gas blackmail perfected by Gazprom and the bans on agricultural imports or penalties for environmental damage slammed by the authorized state agencies. This behavior is typically portrayed as asserting Russia’s ability to defend its national interests while in fact it makes just a peculiar blend of hypocrisy and self-deception.
