Russia would continue with large oil and gas projects, said Russia's Foreign Ministry on Saturday, as reported by Reuters.
Foreign ministry claimed new U.S. sanctions against Moscow's energy sector as an attempt to harm Russia's economy at the risk of destabilising global markets.
A statement from the ministry said that Russia would react to Washington's "hostile" actions, which were announced on Friday, while also working on its foreign policy strategy.
The statement said the actions seemed like an effort to hurt the Russian economy, even if it risks destabilizing global markets, as President Joe Biden's time in office comes to an end.
"Despite the convulsions in the White House and the machinations of the Russophobic lobby in the West, trying to drag the world energy sector into the 'hybrid war' unleashed by the United States against Russia, our country has been and remains a key and reliable player in the global fuel market."
The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, which explore, produce, and sell oil, as well as 183 ships that have transported Russian oil. Many of these ships are part of a "shadow fleet" of old tankers operated by non-Western companies.
The actions were the largest U.S. sanctions package to date aimed at Russia's oil and gas income, designed to give Kyiv and Donald Trump's incoming administration more leverage in negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the measures would "deliver a significant blow" to Moscow. "The less revenue Russia earns from oil ... the sooner peace will be restored," he said.
Bd-pratidin English/ Afia
