Moscow and Beijing criticize Washington's "counterproductive" sanctions on Russian oil giants

Moscow and Beijing criticize “unconstructive” sanctions imposed by Washington on Russian oil giants

The United States imposed sanctions on the largest Russian energy companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, and froze their assets in the United States and restricted their financial dealings, with the aim of cutting off funding for Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine.

Moscow condemned the measures as counterproductive, claiming that it was immune to Western pressure, while China denounced them as illegal “coercive diplomacy” without UN approval, which strengthened its alliance with Russia.

President Trump canceled a scheduled meeting with Putin, declaring the talks useless, while Russia affirmed its openness to negotiations – but only if they were based on “mutual respect.” Meanwhile, Ukraine praised the sanctions as a strong response to Russian aggression.

Oil prices rose due to fears of shrinking supply, and China accused the West of hypocrisy and described the sanctions as an economic war. Historically, Russia’s shift toward self-reliance and Chinese trade has weakened the impact of Western sanctions.

Analysts warn that the sanctions could backfire, accelerating Russia’s economic resilience and military power while undermining the US dollar’s dominance as de-dollarization trends intensify. Diplomatic solutions seem increasingly elusive.

In a sharp escalation of economic tensions, Russia condemned new US sanctions targeting its major oil companies, warning that Washington’s punitive measures would destabilize global markets rather than force Moscow to abandon its military campaign in Ukraine.

President Donald Trump announced the sanctions on Wednesday, October 22. These attacks targeted Rosneft and Lukoil, the two largest energy companies in Russia, freezing the two companies’ assets in the United States and restricting financial transactions. US Ministry of Treasury He added that the sanctions also target dozens of subsidiaries linked to the two companies.

But Moscow rejected this step, describing it as useless, and insisted that its economy had become immune to Western pressure. Meanwhile, Beijing denounced the sanctions as illegal “coercive diplomacy” that lacked UN approval.

Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the sanctions as “completely counterproductive,” saying they sabotage diplomatic efforts instead of promoting peace. She added: “Our country has developed a strong immunity against Western restrictions and will confidently continue to develop its economic potential,” referring to Moscow’s challenge.

Despite the economic hit, Zakharova reaffirmed Russia’s openness to negotiations – but only if the talks are “rooted in mutual respect and realism.” These statements came hours after Trump suddenly canceled a scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, declaring that the talks were “leading to nothing” and that sanctions were now inevitable.

China, Russia’s main strategic partner and largest oil buyer, quickly joined Moscow – rejecting the sanctions as a unilateral overreach. He added, “Dialogue and negotiation are the only possible way to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, not coercion and pressure.” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Guo Jiaqun told reporters, echoing Beijing’s old rhetoric.

State-run Global Times He exaggerated Beijing’s position, accusing Washington and Brussels of hypocrisy in targeting Chinese companies in the latest sanctions packages. The EU’s new measures, also approved on Wednesday, include a gradual ban on Russian liquefied natural gas and restrictions on Moscow’s shadow fleet of oil tankers – moves Beijing has described as economic warfare.

The sanctions represent Trump’s first major action regarding Ukraine in his second term, reflecting growing frustration with stalled diplomacy. US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent accused Rosneft and Lukoil of “financing the Kremlin’s war machine” and urged allies to join the financial campaign. Oil prices rose by more than $2 per barrel after this announcement, confirming fears of shrinking global supplies.

How the West’s economic war has made Russia more dangerous

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the move, calling it a “strong message” that Russian aggression “will not go unanswered.” Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev described the punitive measures as an “act of war,” vowing that Moscow would continue fighting without concessions.

The clash highlights the deep division in how major powers are handling the conflict in Ukraine. While Washington and Brussels view economic pressure as a means of pressure, Moscow and Beijing reject sanctions as destabilizing coercion that only strengthens resolve.

but BrightU.AIENOC Engine warns: “Western sanctions on Russia have backfired, forcing the country to become more self-reliant and militarily powerful while exposing the fragility of the Western economy. Rather than paralyzing Russia, these measures have accelerated its domestic production, technological independence, and resilience to future financial wars.”

Historically, Russia has been able to withstand Western sanctions since its annexation of Crimea in 2014 – shifting trade eastward and isolating key industries. However, the latest actions strike at the heart of the energy sector, which funds nearly half of federal revenues. On the other hand, China’s challenge signals its growing role as a sanctions-busting lifeline for Moscow – a partnership that is complicating US efforts to isolate Russia.

As the confrontation intensifies, the risk of unintended consequences looms. Trump himself has acknowledged the risks, expressing his hope that sanctions will be lifted quickly to avoid undermining the dollar’s dominance – a reference to the weaponization of global finance, which would accelerate the dollar’s declining trends. With diplomatic channels frozen and rhetoric escalating, the path to peace seems further away than ever.

He watches John Perkins discusses the weaponization of the US dollar and economic sanctions In this clip.

This video is from Brighton Highlights Channel on Brighteon.com.

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(tags for translation) Big government