Putin says new US sanctions unlikely to hit Russia’s economy significantly

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said that the latest U.S. sanctions targeting Russian oil companies are unlikely to have a significant impact on the country’s economy.

Describing the measures as “an attempt to put pressure on Russia” and “unfriendly,” Putin added that they do nothing to improve Russia-U.S. relations.

Responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s Wednesday remarks about canceling a planned meeting with him, Putin said Russia has consistently supported ongoing dialogue. He also cautioned that approaching a Russia-U.S. summit without proper preparation would be a mistake.

The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, aiming to pressure Moscow into agreeing to an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine.