In case of new sanctions, Putin threatens the West with ‘catastrophic consequences’
07/08/2022, 19:59
Kremlin chief Putin warns of “serious” consequences for the global energy market if the West imposes more sanctions on Russia. The Foreign Ministry in Moscow also criticizes that Western countries want to isolate Russia at the G20 summit.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Western countries against further sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine. “The continuation of the sanctions policy could lead to even more serious consequences – no exaggeration: catastrophic – on the world energy market,” Putin told a televised meeting with the government. “Sanctions against Russia will mean much greater losses for the countries that impose them,” he reiterated.
Putin welcomed the refusal of other oil-producing countries to increase their oil production to offset sanctioned Russian oil and prevent a price increase. “Europeans are trying to replace Russian energy resources, but the result of these actions is predictable: rising gas prices on the market and rising energy costs for end consumers,” he said.
Western countries have imposed numerous sanctions on Moscow since the military operation in Ukraine began on February 24. In recent weeks, Russia has started to reduce gas supplies to European countries. Many European countries in particular are still dependent on energy imports from Russia.
Ministry accuses Baerbock of “lying”.
Russia accused western states of trying to isolate Moscow at the G20 meeting in Bali. “The G7’s plan to boycott Russia” “failed,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Telegram. She also accused Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock of “lying” after accusing Moscow of “not being interested” in exchanges with the other G20 countries.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov left the meeting at the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Indonesia in Baerbock’s speech. “What absolute nonsense,” Zakharova said of Baerbock’s comments. Lavrov was in the room when the session began. About two hours later, he began having two-way conversations with colleagues in the next room. “Other ministers” were also in the room, as such events “are held precisely for this purpose – for meetings and contacts,” the spokeswoman added.
According to diplomats, Lavrov also boycotted a video message from Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and a speech by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Several states harshly criticized the Russian military offensive in Ukraine at the G20 meeting. Russia is increasingly isolated internationally because of the conflict in Ukraine. The West has also imposed tough sanctions on Moscow.