The Kremlin has said it is closely studying the latest round of Western sanctions and will take steps that best serve Russia’s national interests. The statement came after the United States imposed new restrictions on Russia’s two biggest oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft, and the European Union approved its 19th sanctions package over Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
“Right now, we are analysing the sanctions that have been defined and announced,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday. “Of course, we will do what best suits our interests. That’s the main thing in our actions. We are acting primarily not against someone else, but for our own benefit. That’s what we will be doing.”
The latest U.S. sanctions target Russia’s energy exports, focusing on oil giants Lukoil (LKOH.MM) and Rosneft (ROSN.MM), both of which are central to the country’s petroleum revenue stream. The Biden administration said the measures were designed to restrict Russia’s access to global financial systems and advanced energy technologies that support its war effort in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the European Union’s 19th package of sanctions expands existing trade and financial restrictions. It includes a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), further tightening Moscow’s access to European energy markets. The package also blacklists additional Russian officials, companies, and entities accused of supporting or financing the war.
Russia has repeatedly downplayed the impact of Western sanctions since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, insisting that its economy has adapted and that countermeasures have strengthened domestic industries. However, analysts note that restrictions on energy exports — the backbone of Russia’s economy — could have longer-term consequences, particularly if Asian buyers begin to face secondary sanctions pressure from the U.S.
Despite mounting international isolation, the Kremlin maintains that it will continue its military campaign in Ukraine and pursue what it calls “special military operation objectives.” The fresh round of Western sanctions underscores that the geopolitical and economic standoff between Moscow and the West shows no signs of easing.
