Peskov: Russia is working out a response to US sanctions against the oil sector

Russia is working out a response to the US sanctions against the oil sector. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a briefing on January 15.

According to him, the Kremlin is analyzing the situation. Steps will be taken that correspond to the interests of the country and Russian companies, the presidential spokesman said.

"Of course, here we are talking about taking those measures that would minimize the consequences of these illegal measures <...>," Peskov said.

At the same time, he emphasized that the possibility of retaliatory sanctions cannot be ruled out.

Last chord: Biden administration imposes sweeping sanctions against Russia's oil sector

However, their future fate will depend on the decisions of US President-elect Donald Trump

Earlier, on January 10, the US authorities extended sanctions against a number of Russian corporations and their executives. The list included Gazprom Neft and its head Alexander Dyukov, Surgutneftegaz, as well as the head of Zarubezhneft Sergei Kudryashov. In addition, restrictions were imposed on the CEO of Rosatom Alexei Likhachev. Gazprom's medium-tonnage natural gas liquefaction plant Gazprom LNG Portovaya on the Baltic coast was also added to the list.

Restrictions against Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz were also imposed by the UK. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Izvestia, commenting on the new U.S. measures against Russia, that the incumbent U.S. president is going to "leave no trace in history" and "only leave a legacy" before he leaves office.

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.