Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the latest round of US sanctions against Moscow as an “unfriendly act” aimed at pressuring Russia, while asserting that the country’s economy will remain stable and resilient despite the measures.
Speaking to journalists in Moscow on Thursday, Putin said the sanctions were another example of Washington’s attempt to undermine Russia’s sovereignty and disrupt its economic progress.
“These sanctions are an unfriendly act that does nothing to strengthen Russian-American relations,” Putin said, according to state news agency RIA. “They are designed to pressure us, but such attempts will fail.”
Putin emphasized that Russia would never submit to foreign pressure and that his administration had prepared for years to withstand Western economic restrictions.
“No self-respecting country acts under pressure, and Russia certainly will not,” he said. “Our economy has proven its ability to adapt, and we are confident in our future.”
The comments followed Washington’s announcement of new sanctions targeting key sectors of the Russian economy, including energy, defense, and finance.
US officials said the measures were designed to limit Moscow’s ability to generate revenue for its ongoing war efforts in Ukraine and to tighten restrictions on Russian access to global financial systems.
Putin, however, downplayed the impact of the sanctions, claiming that the Russian energy industry remains “confident and secure.”
“Of course, there may be some losses,” he admitted. “But these will not have a critical impact on the overall stability of our economy.”
He also warned that Russia’s response to Western actions, particularly attacks or strikes deep into Russian territory, would be “very serious and overwhelming.”
“The response will be proportionate to the threats we face,” Putin said. “Our national security and sovereignty are non-negotiable.”
The new US sanctions come as Washington continues to coordinate with European allies on economic and diplomatic measures designed to isolate Moscow on the global stage.
American officials said the restrictions are part of a broader effort to “degrade Russia’s capacity to finance aggression,” particularly by targeting high-value exports like oil, gas, and metals.
Putin accused the United States of using sanctions as a geopolitical weapon to maintain dominance in global affairs.
“They use economic restrictions to force other nations into submission,” he said. “But this only shows weakness, not strength.”
Despite repeated waves of Western sanctions since 2022, Russia’s economy has remained relatively stable, buoyed by rising oil prices and increased trade with countries like China, India, and Turkey.
Moscow has also redirected much of its exports toward Asian markets, developing new logistics routes and payment systems to bypass Western restrictions.
Economists, however, warn that the long-term effects of sustained sanctions could strain Russia’s industrial base, reduce foreign investment, and limit technological development.
The Kremlin has dismissed such concerns, pointing instead to what it calls the “resilience of the Russian people” and the success of import substitution programs.
Putin said the government continues to invest heavily in infrastructure, manufacturing, and domestic production to minimize dependency on Western imports.
He reiterated that Russia’s financial system remains strong and that the central bank has effectively stabilized inflation and the ruble’s exchange rate.
Analysts at The Daily National News noted that the new sanctions are unlikely to cause immediate disruption but may increase long-term pressure on the Russian economy if enforcement remains tight.
Putin’s comments reflect his broader strategy of portraying Russia as immune to Western pressure while appealing to nationalist sentiment at home.
He concluded by saying that Russia would continue to pursue “constructive cooperation” with friendly nations while defending its right to act independently.
“We will continue to build relations based on respect and equality,” Putin said. “The era of one-sided dominance is over.”
