Attempts to isolate Russia futile: official

Russia will never be isolated from the rest of the world, whatever attempts the Western governments might undertake, the speaker of the Russian State Duma said Wednesday.

"Russia cannot imagine itself being separated from the world economy. It is not going to isolate itself and naturally won't allow anyone else to do so," Sergei Naryshkin told the State Duma meeting.

Admitting that Russian economy has been in a difficult situation due to both objective and subjective factors, he also blamed Western countries for violating principles of the market economy.

"A group of Western countries which once defended the market economy has suddenly become the main violators," Interfax news agency quoted Naryshkin as saying.

Among the violations the speaker mentioned are anti-Russian sanctions which, in his words, contradict international law and the principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Under these circumstances, Naryshkin said, Moscow might reconsider its priorities and approaches to international cooperation.

Strengthening political and economic cooperation internationally plays the same important role as abiding by the international law, the politician stressed, adding that Russia is strong enough to survive any challenges politically and economically.

Naryshkin called for the government to think about economic reforms that could be carried out to promote efficiency and obtain competitive advantages to counter unfavorable conditions.

Russia's ailing economy has suffered due to mounting pressure from Western sanctions and plummeting oil prices. Endite