Russian MFA: Spokesperson Maria Zakharova and Minister Sergey Lavrov, Photo: Alexander Shcherbak / Sputnik / Profimedia
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia on Saturday denounced new US sanctions against Moscow’s energy sector as an attempt to hurt Russia’s economy, with the risk of destabilizing world markets, and has said that the country will continue its large oil and gas projects.
A statement from the ministry said that Russia will respond to the “hostile” actions of Washington, announced on Friday, as it draws up its foreign economic policy strategy.
“Of course, the hostile actions of Washington will not remain unanswered and will be taken into account when developing our foreign economic strategy. We will continue to implement large domestic projects for the production of oil and gas, as well as the replacement of imports, the provision of oil services and the construction of nuclear power plants in third countries,” promises the Russian MFA.
The measures announced by the United States represent “an attempt to cause at least some damage to the Russian economy, even at the price of the risk of destabilizing world markets, such as the end of the shameful mandate of President Joe Biden in the power approaches”, the Russian Foreign. The Ministry said in a statement.
Moscow accuses a “hybrid war” launched by the USA against Russia
“Despite the convulsions in the White House and the machinations of the Russophobic lobby in the West, which is trying to shape the global energy sector in the hybrid war launched by the United States against Russia, our country was and remains a key and reliable player on the fuel market,” assures the ministry headed by Sergey Lavrov.
The measures announced by Washington on Friday constitute the largest US sanctions package So far targeted at Russia’s oil and gas revenues, part of the measures designed to give Kiev and the incoming administration of Donald Trump leverage to reach an agreement to end the war in Ukraine.
The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, which explore, produce and sell oil, as well as 183 vessels carrying Russian oil, many of which are part of the so-called ghost fleet of old tankers operated by non- Western companies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the measures “deal a significant blow” to Moscow. “The less oil revenue Russia receives, the sooner peace will be restored,” he said.
