Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the impact of new US sanctions targeting his country’s largest oil companies, calling them an attempt to pressure Moscow and vowing that Russia would not bow to external demands.

“No self-respecting country ever does anything under pressure," Vladimir Putin said. The Russian leader’s comments come after Washington imposed sweeping new restrictions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia’s two biggest oil producers, in response to the Kremlin’s refusal to agree to an immediate ceasefire in its war with Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin said he had warned US President Donald Trump that the sanctions could destabilize global energy markets and push up prices, including in the United States itself.

“We said very clearly that this would affect global oil prices, includ

See Full Page