US Treasury Secretary Bessent said the Treasury Department was imposing sanctions on the two largest oil companies “that finance the Kremlin’s war machine” in light of President Putin’s refusal to end this senseless war. The ministry is “ready to go further if necessary.” He also called on US allies to join the sanctions.
Russia responded on Thursday with sharp criticism of the announced US sanctions. “We consider this step to be completely counterproductive,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. At the same time, she emphasized that Russia had “developed a strong immunity to Western restrictions.” Russia will continue to confidently expand its economic potential, “including in the energy sector.”
Beijing also criticized the announced sanctions. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said China “consistently rejects unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law and have not been authorized by the UN Security Council.”
