 "Putin calls new US oil sanctions an 'unfriendly act', says they won’t hurt Russian economy")
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday slammed the latest US sanctions on Russia’s top oil producers as an “unfriendly act,” warning they would strain relations with Washington but insisting the measures would not cause major economic harm.
“They (sanctions) are serious for us, of course, that is clear. And they will have certain consequences, but they will not significantly impact our economic well-being,” AFP quoted Putin as telling reporters.
On Wednesday, President Trump imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil — Russia’s two largest oil companies — expressing frustration that his talks with Putin to end the Ukraine war “don’t go anywhere.”
Trump had delayed taking such measures for months, but his patience ended after plans for a new summit with Putin in Budapest fell through.
“Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they don’t go anywhere,” Trump said during a briefing in the Oval Office when asked about the stalled talks.
Putin, however, said the move “does not strengthen Russia-US relations, which have only just begun to recover.”
Still, even after new sanctions and the summit’s postponement, Putin appeared to remain open to dialogue.
“Dialogue is always better than confrontation or any disputes, and especially war. We have always supported the continuation of dialogue,” Putin was quoted as saying.
But if Russia was attacked with US Tomahawk missiles, which Ukraine seeks, the response would be “very strong, if not overwhelming,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Russia’s Foreign Ministry slammed the new US sanctions, arguing they would hurt prospects for negotiations to end the war.
“These measures are entirely counterproductive, including with respect to dialogue on ending the conflict,” CNN quoted ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova as saying on Thursday at her weekly press briefing.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsZakharova maintained, however, that Russia’s economy would withstand the latest restrictions.
“Our country has developed a strong immunity to Western restrictions and will continue to confidently develop its economic and energy potential,” she said.
With inputs from agencies
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