Potanin: Our efforts should be aimed at maintaining market positions, not at slamming doors

MOSCOW. March 10 (Interfax) - Russia's economic measures in response to the restrictions triggered by the situation surrounding Ukraine should be pragmatic and aimed at preserving positions on markets, Nornickel head Vladimir Potanin said.

"I consider it very important for Russia's economic response measures in the current situation to be measured, pragmatic, and not to lead to additional hardships for the domestic economy. Amid largely irrational and even histrionic events on global markets, we should look substantial and imperturbable, and our efforts should be directed not toward slamming the door, but maintaining Russia's economic positions on those markets that we have been opening up for so long," Potanin said.

"This concerns, for example, issues of exporting Russian products. It's not a secret that many states use sanctions including as an instrument in competitive activity. It would be incorrect if Russia through its actions facilitated their achievement of these goals," he said.

"Conversely, if we're being squeezed out of markets, then we should strive to hold on to them, not voluntarily refuse participation," Potanin said.

Nornickel is the largest global producer of palladium and high-grade nickel with market shares of 40% and 20% respectively. It is also a largescale producer of copper and platinum.