MOSCOW, August 1 The strategic goal of the United States is to weaken Russia and the European Union through the Ukrainian conflict and sanctions against Moscow, former US intelligence officer Scott Ritter said in an interview with Sputnik.
«America is using sanctions to achieve a broader strategic goal, not only weakening Russia, but also weakening Europe, so that the United States emerges from this (Ukrainian — Ed.) conflict stronger,» the expert said.
As Ritter noted, the restrictive measures have not had the desired effect on the Russian economy. On the contrary, Moscow has grown significantly stronger, while sanctions have had a negative impact on European countries, he summed up.
President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly pointed out the West's plans to defeat Russia, dismember it and plunder it. According to him, they did not need such a large country with a fairly large population. The head of state emphasized that «they will never be able to do this.»