Russia: Russia is not reorienting to the east, says EconDev Minister

Russian Minister of Economic Development Alexei Ulyukaev met with the Association of European Businesses in Moscow, Monday.
Ulyukaev said that Russia was "not reorienting" by "crossing over to the east" but that Russia "would just like to have a more solid basis for development," adding that "it is more stable to stand on two feet than on one. This is just the correction of disbalance."
The Russian Minister also expressed regret that the relations between Russia and the European Union developed in a negative manner in the past few years, adding that "the share of the [economy of the] European Union is the biggest in the world. China and America can argue with each other about who is ranked number two."
Chairman of the board of the Association of European Businesses Philippe Pegorier commented on the EU sanctions against Russia, stating that over one million employees in the EU and half a million in Russia are effected by the sanctions, adding that "all these sanctions are a risk for employees." Pegorier continued, "they [sanctions] are a destruction of value for all and, as you said yourself last week, we are very tired of this situation."