【By Observer News, Wang Yi】The United States recently announced sanctions against Russia's two largest oil companies, aiming to pressure Russia to push for a ceasefire. In response, Russian President Putin said on October 23 local time that these measures will not significantly affect the Russian economy, and a sharp decline in supply will drive up oil prices, which will instead make Western countries, including the United States, "uncomfortable." In response to Putin's statement, Trump responded the same day, saying, "I'm glad he thinks so," and added, "Wait and see six months later."

"Russia Today" reported that Putin evaluated the sanctions as "unfriendly actions" during an interview with the media, stating that they are ineffective in promoting Russia-US relations and will not have a significant impact on the Russian economy. He pointed out that if Russia's oil supply sharply decreases, it would cause greater fluctuations in the international market, further increase oil prices, and make countries like the United States uncomfortable.

"This is certainly a move to pressure Russia," Putin said, "but no country with self-respect, no nation with self-respect, will make decisions under pressure."

He further stated that some people in the US government have been pushing for Trump to limit Russian oil exports, and should think about who these people actually work for. Putin said that if Russia and the United States could get rid of the pressure strategy and turn to long-term serious dialogue, the two countries could actually cooperate in many areas.

On October 23 local time, Russian President Putin was interviewed by the media. Video screenshot

Facing Putin's firm statement that the sanctions would not have a major impact on Russia, Trump responded, "I'm glad he thinks so. Good. I'll tell you about this in six months."

On the 22nd, the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions against Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, along with their subsidiaries. These two companies account for more than 5% of global oil production.

Reuters reported on the 23rd that the U.S. sanctions aim to pressure Russia to achieve a ceasefire. Although the sanctions have limited short-term effects on Russia, they are seen as a strong signal of Trump's intention to "cut off Russia's funding chain." After the news came out, global oil prices rose by about 5%. Sources revealed that Indian refining companies are preparing to significantly reduce Russian oil imports, and it is expected that Russia's oil supply to India will be reduced to nearly zero.

The report points out that the U.S. move is seen as a dramatic shift in the Trump administration's policy towards Russia. Just a week ago, Trump announced that he would meet with Putin in Hungary to seek a way to end the Ukraine conflict. However, on the same day that the U.S. announced new sanctions against Russia, Trump said he had canceled the planned meeting between the leaders of the U.S. and Russia because the meeting at this time would not yield results, and he would meet with Putin "at some time in the future."

Putin also confirmed that the original meeting plan had been postponed on the 23rd. He admitted that it was a mistake to attend the summit without sufficient preparation, but hinted that a meeting might still take place later.

He added that when he spoke with Trump on the 16th, it was Trump who proposed the idea of holding a meeting and suggested that the location be Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Putin emphasized that dialogue is better than confrontation, arguments, and ongoing war.

Regarding Ukraine's desire to obtain "Tomahawk" missiles from the United States, Putin warned in the interview that if "Tomahawk" missiles are used to attack Russian territory, it would trigger a strong Russian response. He said, "It is an attempt to escalate the situation. But if such weapons are used to attack Russian territory, the response will be very severe, even shocking. Let them think carefully."

On the 23rd, Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Security Council, also openly criticized on the social media platform Telegram, "Trump canceled the Budapest Summit. The U.S. imposed new sanctions on us. What else? Are there any new weapons besides the notorious 'Tomahawk' missiles?" "If there are still people who have illusions, now it's time to wake up. The U.S. is our enemy, and their talkative 'peacemaker' has officially embarked on the path of war against Russia."

At the same time, according to Reuters, Ukrainian President Zelensky praised the sanctions as "very important" during a meeting with EU leaders in Brussels on the 23rd, and still needs to increase pressure on Russia to force it to cease fire. The EU agreed to provide Ukraine with financial support for the next two years, but did not explicitly support using frozen Russian assets to issue large loans. Russia has repeatedly warned that if the EU uses Russian assets, it will "respond with painful consequences."

On the 23rd, European Commission President von der Leyen announced on social media platforms that EU member states had approved the 19th round of sanctions against Russia, and the EU will continue to pressure Russia.

According to the bulletin released by the EU Council on the same day, the 19th round of EU sanctions against Russia includes adding 69 individual sanctions and various economic restrictions, mainly targeting Russia's energy, financial, and military industries. The EU will prohibit Russian liquefied natural gas from entering the European market, and Rosneft and Gazprom Neft will face comprehensive transaction bans. The EU will expand the transaction ban on Russian financial institutions and, for the first time, include cryptocurrency platforms in the sanctions. The EU Council will also strengthen control over the activities of Russian diplomats within the EU.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zarakhova responded on the 23rd at a regular press conference, saying that the new sanctions against Russia by the U.S. and Europe will not produce the expected effect, but will instead harm the EU and the global economy.

Zarakhova said that Russia has developed immunity to sanctions in recent years. Despite the sanctions, Russia will continue to develop its economic and political potential. The current U.S. government is trying to imitate its predecessors, forcing Russia to sacrifice national interests, but this will not achieve the desired result and will instead have a negative impact on the stability of the global economy.

She also said that the new round of sanctions against Russia by the EU will not achieve the expected effect, but will instead harm the EU itself, and Russia reserves the right to respond according to its own interests.

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