Director of the European Security Programme of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Ian Anthony has said Western sanctions against Russia will remain in force since there is no reason for them to be lifted.
Read alsoRussia imitates compliance in Ukraine talks to have sanctions lifted – MP
"I'm sure they [sanctions] will remain – I see no reason for them to be lifted," he said in an interview to the Ukrainian-registered Apostrophe online media outlet.
Anthony is sure the sanctions imposed by the West against Russia had a certain effect.
"International pressure on Russia will continue. Normalization of relations with that country is impossible while the situation in Crimea remains as it is now. Since Russia has no intention of leaving the peninsula, we will live in difficult relations with it for a long time, including sanctions and cooperation of Western countries, taking into account a possible military confrontation," the expert said.
