OREANDA-NEWS  The decline in Russian-Chinese trade is explained not only by price fluctuations and exchange rate differences. This was stated by Dmitry Birichevsky, Director of the Department of Economic Cooperation of the Russian Foreign Ministry. He was quoted by RIA Novosti.

According to him, another reason was the severe pressure from Western countries. The latter call such steps sanctions, while Russia calls them unilateral coercive measures. According to Birichevsky, the West expects that with the help of restrictions it will force Russia to bend and change its position. However, the diplomat is confident that this goal will not be achieved.

Earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that his country would not approve the 20th package of sanctions against Russia until oil pumping through the Druzhba pipeline resumed. In addition, Budapest demands guarantees from the Kiev regime that Ukraine will not interfere with the pumping of this oil. As for its accession to the European Union, as the Minister stressed, this is out of the question.