Moscow - The only member of the Russian State Duma on Switzerland's new sanctions list, Mikhail Degtyaryov (Russian Liberal Democratic Party), has admitted that the only thing that linked him to that country was alpine skiing, but that Russia offers many alternatives to this type of holidaying.
“I have no idea why Switzerland extended its sanctions precisely to
me. I can say with absolute confidence that ending up on such lists is
recognition of the faithful political line of the Liberal Democratic
Party and mine personally,” Degtyaryov told Interfax on Tuesday, Aug. 5.
At the same time, the parliamentarian said that he is an enthusiastic
alpine skier and was a frequent visitor at alpine resorts of
Switzerland and other European countries, but at the same time considers
the mountainous slopes of the Sayan, Caucasus and Urals best suited and
more convenient for alpine-skiing lovers. “I would recommend Russian
resorts to all travelers,” the Duma deputy said.
Degtyaryov also said that his impression was that “with its
sanctions, Switzerland is acting in Russia’s interests by shifting the
focus of the whole elite onto Russian industry and Russian alpine-skiing
resorts.”
The Swiss government on Tuesday, Aug. 5 extended its sanctions list over
Russia’s position on Ukraine by adding another 25 Russians and
Ukrainians, as well as 18 companies to its sanctions list over Ukraine.
In particular, the new names on the list include prime minister of
the self-proclaimed Donetsk people’s republic Oleksandr Borodai, Vostok
battalion commander Oleksandr Khodakovsky, chief of the Russian external
intelligence service Mikhail Fradkov, Russian Security Council
Secretary Nikolai Patrushev and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.
Thus, the total number of individuals and companies sanctioned by Switzerland has reached 87 and 20, respectively.
