Russia will continue to defy US pressure and will never bow to foreign coercion, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.

Putin made the statement while addressing a group of Russian media outlets following the announcement of new sanctions by the administration of US President Donald Trump. The latest sanctions, targeting Russia's largest oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, are part of Washington’s broader strategy to weaken the Russian economy and push the Kremlin into negotiations over its ongoing war in Ukraine. However, Putin dismissed the impact of these measures, claiming that while Russia may face some economic losses, the sanctions would not be severe enough to destabilise the nation’s financial position.

Calling the sanctions “unfriendly acts,” Putin emphasised that Russia’s energy sector would remain resilient. While he acknowledged that some economic pain could be felt, he asserted that it would not undermine Russia’s long-term stability. He also warned that any attempt to disrupt Russia’s oil exports would have broader consequences, including a rise in global oil prices.

“No self-respecting country ever does anything under pressure,” Putin said.

The sanctions come at a time when Russia’s two largest energy buyers, China and India, have shown signs of reducing their oil imports from Russia. Nevertheless, Putin suggested that the Russian economy would adapt, citing past instances where Russia successfully circumvented Western sanctions using opaque trading methods and a “shadow fleet” of tankers. These tactics allowed Russia to continue exporting oil despite previous embargoes, and Putin’s comments indicate that Russia would likely employ similar strategies in response to the current sanctions.

The sanctions have cast doubt on the prospects for diplomacy, especially after the US cancelled a planned bilateral summit between Putin and Trump. The meeting had been described by the White House as an opportunity for dialogue and a chance to potentially put a stop to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.