VOA常速英语2014--Some Multi-National Companies Ignoring Western Sanctions Against Russia 一些跨国公司不担心对俄罗斯的制裁（在线收听）

Some Multi-National Companies Ignoring Western Sanctions Against Russia 一些跨国公司不担心对俄罗斯的制裁

Western sanctions are hurting Russia’s economy.  That’s according to the country’s economic minister, who says Russia’s economic output is shrinking as investors take their money elsewhere.  But some western companies are bucking that trend - expanding business interests in Russia - even as the U.S. and European allies consider wider sanctions to punish Moscow for annexing Crimea and destabilizing eastern Ukraine.  

He remains a unifying figure among Russian patriots, but analysts say President Vladimir Putin’s popularity could sour if the economy continues to deteriorate.

弗拉基米尔·普京在俄罗斯爱国者心中仍是一个团结的形象，但分析家称如果经济继续恶化，他的受欢迎度将会骤降。

Speaking to Russian lawmakers, Economic Development Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said worried investors have already pulled more than $70 billion out of the country.

经济发展部长乌卢卡耶夫对俄罗斯议员们发表讲话，他说忧虑的投资者们已经从俄罗斯经济中抽出了700多亿美元。

“We also have a high level of uncertainty in the global financial markets, serious capital flight, the situation when investors are not ready to make investment decisions in the tense international situation we’ve had for the past two months.  The economic situation is not stable," said Ulyukayev.

“全球金融市场的不确定性已经很高了，资本在外逃，过去两个月在这个紧张的国际局势下投资者不打算做投资，经济状况很不稳定。”

Russian stocks have lost more than ten percent since the start of the Ukraine crisis - and the ruble sits close to a five-year low against the dollar.

自乌克兰危机以来，俄罗斯股市已经跌了10%以上，卢布对美国的汇率已经接近五年来的最低点。

But even as Europe threatens wider sanctions - not all investors are prepared to abandon Russia.

但尽管欧洲威胁要加大制裁，不是所有投资者都准备放弃俄罗斯。

At a recent meeting with Putin, Royal Dutch Shell CEO Ben Van Beurden announced the company's commitment to expand its operations in Russia.

最近在与普京的会谈中，荷兰皇家壳牌CEO范伯登宣布该公司准备扩大在俄罗斯的业务。

“This is a special occasion for me to visit because indeed today is our 20th anniversary of the partnership that we have in Sakhalin Energy, a partnership that we are exceptionally proud of," said Van Beurden.

“今天是个特殊的日子，是我们在萨哈林能源投资公司合作项目的20周年纪念日，我们都为这个合作关系感到骄傲。”

It’s no surprise to investment analyst Ben Kumar who says Shell is not the only multi-national with entrenched business interests in Russia’s economy.

投资分析家本·库马尔对此并不吃惊，他说在俄罗斯经济中拥有根深蒂固利益的跨国公司不止壳牌一家。

“You have this globalization now which means that everyone is linked to everyone else.  Companies like BP - all of the other major energy companies - are so multi-national that if you start to threaten to shut down trade links they will kick up a fuss," said Kumar.

“国际化意味着每个人都与其他人相关联，像BP等各个能源公司都是跨国公司，如果你威胁要关闭贸易，那么它们会大吵大闹的。”

Reuters' European editor Pierre Brancon says Western powers must be careful not to push the Russian bear to hard.

路透社欧洲编辑皮埃尔·布兰登说欧洲大国必须小心不要让俄罗斯太难过。

“You don’t wage economic war without inflicting suffering on yourself - we know that European companies are going to suffer if they go to full-blown sanctions," said Brancon.

“只要进行经济战，就是在搬起石头砸自己的脚，我们知道如果实施全面制裁，欧洲公司会遭受损失。”

That’s because Russia produces a third of the natural gas Europe needs, much of it transported through Ukrainian pipelines.  

这是因为欧洲所需的天然气有三分之一是俄罗斯产的，很多都是经由乌克兰的管道运输的。

Diplomatically, it’s a delicate balancing act, one with the potential to provoke a trade war, and higher energy prices around the world.

从外交角度来说，这是个微妙的平衡，这样可能会引发贸易战，以及导致全世界能源价格上涨。