In an interview for Bloomberg TV Bulgaria, IGA Chairperson Rumena Filipova, Ph.D., examined the impact of sanctions on Russia and the US’s strategy on the war in Ukraine. In focus were also the West’s relations with India and the latter’s ties to Moscow and Beijing, as well as the role of Europe and its priorities in the areas of security, economics, and scientific-technological development.
Key points:
- India’s imports of Russian oil have surged, benefiting Indian refineries but straining relations with Western partners seeking a clearer stance on the war. New Delhi’s policy of “balancing among enemies” may not be sustainable in the long term.
- The prospect of strong US-led sanctions on Russia’s energy sector—coupled with falling oil and gas revenues for Russia over the past year—are pressuring the Kremlin toward peace talks. The Russian regime may yield to power politics more so than diplomacy.
- The US President now takes into greater consideration European and Ukrainian positions. Peace talks with the Russian President are unlikely to lead to a settlement that would appear as Ukraine’s capitulation but would rather reflect realities on the ground.
- A peace agreement could allow Europe to refocus on priorities that are of significance to the continent, including building internal resilience, establishing defenses against hybrid threats from Russia and China as well as doubling down on technological and economic development.