Putin Dismisses Trump's Oil Sanctions Impact on Russian Economy While Issuing Strong Warning on Tomahawk Missiles

The United States imposed sanctions on Russia's largest oil companies on Wednesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the latest US sanctions on Thursday, describing them as "serious" but insufficient to significantly impact Russia's economy.

The sanctions implemented by the United States targeted Russia's two major oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, marking the first sanctions against Russia since President Trump's return to office.

"These sanctions are undoubtedly serious for us. They will have certain consequences, but they will not significantly impact our economic well-being," Putin stated during a press conference.

Putin further characterized the sanctions as an "unfriendly act" that "does not strengthen Russia-US relations, which have only just begun to recover."

President Trump initially sought to improve relations with Russia early in his term but has grown increasingly frustrated with Putin's unwillingness to agree to a ceasefire, complaining that peace negotiations were not progressing.

The Republican president delayed implementing new restrictions against Russia for several months, but his patience ended when plans for a summit with Putin in Budapest fell through.

Despite the new sanctions and postponement of the summit, Putin expressed openness to continuing dialogue.

"Dialogue is always preferable to confrontation or any disputes, and especially war. We have consistently supported continuing dialogue," Putin told journalists.

However, Putin warned that if Russia were attacked with US Tomahawk missiles, which Ukraine is seeking, the Russian response would be "very strong, if not overwhelming."