The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the new U.S. sanctions against its energy sector on Saturday, calling them an attempt to damage the Russian economy while risking, as stated in the declaration, the destabilization of global markets. Moscow stated that it will continue with its major oil and gas projects despite the sanctions.
“The sanctions constitute an attempt to cause damage to the Russian economy, even at the cost of destabilizing global markets, as the disgraceful mandate of President Joe Biden nears its end,” the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in the statement.
“Despite the efforts in the White House and the machinations of the Russophobic lobby in the West to drag the global energy sector into the ‘hybrid war’ incited by the United States against Russia, our country has been and remains a key and reliable player in the global fuel market,” the statement continued.
Friday’s sanctions represent the most extensive package the United States has imposed so far, targeting Russia’s oil and gas revenues as part of measures to give Ukraine and the incoming administration of elected President Donald Trump an advantage in reaching an agreement to end the war in Ukraine.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Gazprom Neft SIBN.MM, Surgutneftegas, and 183 ships that have transported Russian oil, many of which are part of the so-called “shadow fleet” of tankers assisting Russia, operated by non-Western companies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the measures will deal a significant blow to Moscow.
“The less revenue Russia earns from oil… the sooner peace will be restored,” he said.
