MOSCOW, Oct 24: Russian leader Vladimir Putin vowed to resist Western pressure after the United States imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, reported Al Jazeera.
President Donald Trump announced the measures on Wednesday, targeting the firms and warning foreign banks they risked penalties if they continued doing business with those companies.
The move could complicate energy purchases for countries such as India, and it follows growing efforts by Western states to cut Russia off from revenue that funds the war. The European Union added its own restrictions, banning liquefied natural gas imports as part of a fresh package of energy sanctions, reported Al Jazeera.
Putin likens Western sanctions to war as Russian assault traps...
Putin called the US steps an unfriendly act but sought to limit their political effect, saying they would have consequences yet would not meaningfully harm Russia’s overall economic health, according to Al Jazeera. Putin maintains that Ukraine should be disarmed and that Russia should hold territory it captured, a position Kyiv rejects and that so far has blocked negotiations.
Plans for an in-person meeting between Trump and Putin stalled after Trump proposed freezing the front lines as a ceasefire idea. White House officials said they remain open to talks but want a clear and tangible outcome before scheduling a presidential meeting, according to Al Jazeera.
Trump also floated supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles to enable longer-range strikes, a request President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought at the White House without success. Russian officials said such arms would be an escalation. Putin warned any attack on Russian soil would draw a serious response, reported Al Jazeera.
The Western measures target major export earners. US sanctions singled out Rosneft and Lukoil, whose sales feed Moscow’s budget, while EU steps aim to choke key revenue streams..
Analysts say cutting off energy income raises legal and economic questions for buyers and banks. Some states may face pressure as they decide whether to keep buying Russian oil. Moscow has reacted angrily, warning of reciprocal steps and diplomatic fallout if the West moves to seize or repurpose Russian assets. Debate is intensifying across world capitals, reported Al Jazeera.
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