Russia Denounces US Oil Sanctions as ‘Act of War,’ Says Move Deepens Ukraine Conflict

Moscow and Beijing have strongly criticised the United States’ latest sanctions targeting Russia’s top oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, calling the measures “counterproductive” and warning they could destabilize the global economy.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that the sanctions will ultimately “backfire,” stressing that Washington’s attempts to coerce Russia will not force Moscow to compromise on its national interests. She added that Russia remains open to dialogue but insisted that negotiations must occur through diplomatic channels, not via “media leaks and political posturing.”

Zakharova emphasised that the sanctions fail to address the root causes of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. “Our country has developed a strong immunity to Western restrictions and will continue to confidently develop its economic and energy potential,” she said.

Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev also slammed the US, calling the sanctions an “act of war” and accusing Washington of aligning with “loony Europe.” Medvedev warned that the move marks a departure from diplomacy toward escalation, describing the US as Russia’s “opponent.”

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China similarly voiced opposition, criticising the US sanctions as having “no basis in international law” and rejecting unilateral measures. Chinese officials urged dialogue over coercion and condemned the European Union’s latest sanctions, which targeted Chinese companies allegedly aiding Russia, asserting that Beijing is neither a creator nor a party to the Ukraine crisis.

The sanctions were announced by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, following months of delay and the cancellation of a proposed summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest. Trump said his efforts to negotiate peace in Ukraine were “not going anywhere,” prompting the imposition of penalties on Russia’s largest oil firms.

As the war in Ukraine approaches its fourth year, Russia and China’s responses signal a firm rejection of Western pressure and a call for diplomatic engagement, even as tensions between Moscow and the West continue to escalate.