MOSCOW — President Vladimir Putin responded forcefully on Thursday to the U.S.’s latest sanctions by declaring that Russia will never bow to pressure from the United States or any foreign power, and warning of an “overwhelming” response to any military strikes deep inside Russian territory.
Addressing reporters in the Kremlin, Putin characterized the sanctions targeting Rosneft, Lukoil and other oil-sector assets as “unfriendly acts” meant to coerce Moscow, but insisted they would not deal a significant blow to Russia’s economic stability. “This is, of course, an attempt to put pressure on Russia,” he said. “But no self-respecting country and no self-respecting people ever decide anything under pressure.”
Though Putin acknowledged that the sanctions might inflict “some losses,” he remained confident about Russia’s economic resilience, particularly its energy sector and warned that disrupting Russian exports could push world oil prices higher, inflicting discomfort on U.S. consumers.
On security, he issued a stark caution saying, if Western or Ukrainian forces use long-range missiles to strike Russian territory, the Kremlin’s response will be “very serious, if not overwhelming.” Putin framed the delay or cancellation of a proposed Budapest summit with President Trump as a reflection of his demand for a meeting that delivers results, not hollow symbolism.
Putin’s remarks signal a robust rhetorical counter to Washington’s recent escalation and underscore Moscow’s willingness to withstand sustained external pressure even as global attention intensifies on Russia’s war in Ukraine.
