Moscow's Response to US and EU Sanctions

Tehran - BORNA - Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, stated: "We consider this step to be absolutely counterproductive, including in terms of demonstrating a lack of favor toward achieving tangible negotiated solutions for the Ukraine conflict."

She added that there would be "no specific problems for Russia" in connection with the aforementioned decision.

On Wednesday, the US Department of the Treasury announced that Washington was imposing sanctions on the major Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft, as well as their subsidiaries, due to the country's "alleged lack of commitment" to ending the Ukraine conflict. Earlier on Thursday, the European Union had announced the approval of its nineteenth package of sanctions against Russia.

Regarding the new EU sanctions, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that they are "ineffective" and "harm the Union itself."

She added: "Brussels' ability to expand sanctions against our country has largely been exhausted. Russia reserves the right to respond to any hostile action by the European Union—even if it involves deliberately unsuccessful attempts to harm us—in a manner we deem most appropriate and beneficial. We will respond appropriately, deliberately, and with due regard for our fundamental interests."

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