Russian Embassy calls London's sanctions against Russia a blow to Britain's population

The Russian Embassy in London said on Saturday, January 11, that the new UK sanctions against Russian companies Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz will be a blow by the country's authorities to the welfare of British citizens.

"Restrictive measures against Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz are another blow by the British authorities to the well-being of their own population. And London's claims that these illegitimate steps are supposedly in line with the "plan for change" or contribute to anyone's prosperity and security are patently false," RIA Novosti quoted the statement as saying."

The embassy said the attacks on oil and gas companies were adding to instability in the global energy market, which was hurting consumers, Britons, local businesses and countries in the Global South that Western countries were taking advantage of.

The embassy added that only U.S. suppliers benefit from sanctions against Russia, and London must be held accountable for sacrificing the interests of its citizens for U.S. interests and political gain.

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The day before, Britain imposed sanctions on Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz. On the same day, the US authorities also extended sanctions against a number of Russian corporations and their executives. The list includes Gazprom Neft and its head Alexander Dyukov, Surgutneftegaz, as well as the head of Zarubezhneft, Sergei Kudryashov. In addition, restrictions were imposed on Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev.

Commenting on the sanctions, Gazprom Neft said that it intends to continue its work. The company added that it had been gradually preparing for the new restrictions in advance, since 2022, taking into account negative scenarios. In this regard, the new sanctions have already been taken into account in the existing operational processes.

Back in November 2024, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said that Western sanctions will not lead to restrictions on Russia's foreign trade. According to him, all restrictions by Western countries first of all hit them.

Western countries increased sanctions pressure on Russia after the start of the special operation to protect civilians in Donbass, which was announced on February 24, 2022.