Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrow accuses the U.S. of using “extremely unfair methods” against Russian companies and trade partners.
U.S. Methods Criticized
Sergey Lavrow on the U.S.: “The West is unwilling to give up its once-dominant position. Moreover, with the arrival of the Trump administration, this fight to suppress competitors has become particularly obvious and open.” The Russian foreign minister stated that the Trump administration in Washington does not hide its ambitions, claiming it must dominate the energy sector and limit competition.
“They are using extremely unfair methods against us. They ban Russian oil companies like Lukoil and Rosneft from operating. They try to control our trade, investment cooperation, and military-technical ties with Russia’s largest strategic partners such as India and other BRICS members,” Lavrow complained.
New Sanctions Imposed
“I would like to note that despite all the statements by President Donald Trump’s administration that the war in Ukraine (…) should end, that we should reach an agreement, (…) the administration has not questioned all the regulations adopted by Joe Biden to ‘punish’ Russia after the start of the special military operation,” said the head of Russian diplomacy.
“They easily passed laws and sanctions against Russia that remain in effect. They imposed sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft. And they did this in the fall, just a few weeks after President Putin’s meeting with President Trump in Anchorage,” he added. “New sanctions are being imposed, a ‘war’ is being waged against tankers on the open sea, violating the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. They are trying to prevent India and other our partners from buying cheap, inexpensive Russian energy raw materials,” Lavrow listed.
War in Ukraine
Russia constantly attacks Ukrainian territory. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported on Monday that Russian troops struck railway infrastructure in Sumy region. Meanwhile, during the night, a 71-year-old man was killed and four people were injured in a Russian drone attack in Chernihiv region. In Dnipropetrovsk region, nine people, including a 13-year-old girl, were injured due to a drone attack. There was also an air attack on Donetsk.
EU Sanctions in the Works
On Monday, a meeting of EU ambassadors is planned in Brussels regarding the 20th package of sanctions against Russia. The European Commission prepared the draft restrictions and sent them to member states on Friday. The key element is the ban on maritime transport of Russian oil. This will replace the price cap on this raw material, agreed upon in December 2022. If unanimous consent is reached, any maritime services will be banned – besides transport, also European insurance, technical assistance, or access to EU ports.
The 20th sanctions package also includes a proposal to ban the import of certain raw materials and metals. There are also proposed export bans to Russia, ranging from rubber and tractors to cybersecurity services. Among the Commission’s proposals is also an attack on the banking sector and cryptocurrencies, which Russia uses to circumvent restrictions.