Vladimir Putin Statement: Russian President Vladimir Putin completely rejected the new sanctions imposed by the US on his country’s two largest oil companies. He said that these sanctions are an attempt to put pressure on Moscow, but Russia will not succumb to any external pressure.

Putin said, ‘No self-respecting country does anything under pressure.’ His comments came when Washington imposed stringent sanctions on Russia’s two major oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. This step of America has been taken in response to Russia’s refusal for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.

‘Oil prices will increase due to sanctions’

Vladimir Putin claimed that he had already warned US President Donald Trump that these sanctions could destabilize the global energy market and increase oil prices, which would also affect America itself. He said, ‘We had said very clearly that this will affect global oil prices, including the US.’