Moscow/Washington: Tensions between Russia and the United States reached a new flashpoint after the US government, led by President Donald Trump, imposed fresh sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia’s two largest oil companies.
The move — aimed at increasing pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine — has provoked an unprecedented reaction from the Kremlin, with Russian leaders calling it a direct act of hostility.
⚠️ Russia Declares US an “Enemy”
In a fierce response, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council and a key ally of President Vladimir Putin, declared the United States an “enemy”, saying the sanctions amounted to an “act of war.”
“The US is our enemy, and their talkative ‘peacemaker’ has now fully embarked on the warpath with Russia,” Medvedev wrote on Telegram.
“The decisions taken are an act of war against Russia. And now Trump has fully aligned himself with loony Europe,” he added.
His remarks mark one of the strongest public statements from Moscow against Washington in recent months, reflecting the deepening breakdown in diplomatic relations between the two nations.
🛢️ US Sanctions on Russian Energy Giants
The new sanctions target Rosneft and Lukoil, companies that form the backbone of Russia’s oil industry and a major source of its revenue.
The US Treasury Department announced restrictions that effectively freeze assets under US jurisdiction and ban American entities from engaging in transactions with these firms.
The White House described the move as part of a broader strategy to “tighten economic pressure on the Kremlin” and “compel Russia to engage constructively in peace negotiations.”
Following the announcement, global oil prices spiked by about 3% on Thursday as markets reacted to concerns over supply disruptions.
🇺🇦 Ukraine Welcomes the Move
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the United States, calling the sanctions “very important” in the ongoing effort to isolate Moscow economically.
However, Zelenskyy emphasized that “more pressure will be needed” to bring Russia to the negotiating table.
🏛️ Cancelled Summit Adds to Strain
The tensions further escalated after President Trump announced the cancellation of his planned Budapest summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, citing a lack of progress in previous talks.
“We cancelled the meeting with President Putin — it just didn’t feel right to me,” Trump told reporters.
“It didn’t feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get. So I cancelled it, but we’ll do it in the future.”
This marks the second time in recent months that a high-level dialogue between the two leaders has been called off, raising doubts over future diplomatic engagement.
🌍 Global Repercussions
Analysts say the sanctions represent one of the sharpest policy shifts in Trump’s foreign approach since returning to office. The decision has deepened the divide between Washington and Moscow while sending shockwaves through global energy markets.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova reiterated that Moscow’s objectives in Ukraine remain “unchanged,” insisting that “the root causes of the conflict must be resolved, not just its symptoms.”
As tensions rise and rhetoric hardens, the prospect of renewed US-Russia cooperation appears increasingly remote — setting the stage for yet another chapter of geopolitical confrontation.
Originally published on newsworldstime.com.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
