BRUSSELS, 21 November – RIA Novosti. EU diplomat Josep Borrell wrote in his official blog that the European Union is in favor of expanding cooperation with Central Asian countries, including the construction of transport corridors, bypassing Russia.

“It is clear that Russia and China have played and continue to play leading roles in this region. It is also clear that the region seeks to diversify its relations and sees the EU as a suitable partner. The leaders in the region are implementing various reform programs. Also, relations between the countries of the region are improving. “As the EU, we are also clearly interested in taking advantage of these changes. We must deepen ties with the region, tap into its great potential represented by energy. Supplies that are not dependent on Russia, supplies of critical raw materials and new transport corridors,” he wrote. After Borrell returned to Brussels from his Central Asia trip. He explained that this refers specifically to the Trans-Caspian transport route, which Borrell discusses its development in Kazakhstan.

Western countries have implemented various sanctions packages against Russia due to the situation in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the policy of containing and weakening Russia is a long-term strategy of the West and that the sanctions have dealt a serious blow to the entire world economy. According to him, the main purpose of the West is to make the lives of millions of people worse. He added that current events underline the global dominance of the West in both politics and economy. According to him, Russia will not isolate itself, it cannot be rigidly isolated in the modern world.

Western countries continue to discuss various measures to limit Russia’s revenues from oil and gas exports. So far this has not been done either by embargoing oil, including by the European Union, or by the voluntary refusal of foreign companies. The redirection of exports, alternative supply plans, and the “sanction premium” in world oil prices allow Russia to secure budget revenues, even with reductions in oil. Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the West’s idea of ​​limiting the prices of Russian energy resources, saying that Russia will not supply anything abroad if it goes against its own interests.