Putin Fires Back at Trump’s Oil Crackdown, Vows Crushing Retaliation to US Missile Threats

In a pointed rebuke amid escalating tensions, Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the United States’ fresh sanctions on key energy giants as a notable but ultimately toothless blow to Moscow’s economy. Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Putin characterized the measures as a “serious” and “unfriendly act” that would carry some repercussions, yet fall short of derailing Russia’s financial stability.

The penalties, unveiled by Washington on Wednesday, mark the first such actions against Russia since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House. They zero in on the nation’s top oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, aiming to squeeze revenue streams that have long fueled Moscow’s geopolitical maneuvers. “They are serious for us, of course, that is clear. And they will have certain consequences, but they will not significantly impact our economic well-being,” Putin remarked, underscoring the Kremlin’s resilience in the face of economic pressure.

The move underscores a fraying rapport between the two nuclear powers. Trump, a Republican who sought warmer relations with Russia early in his renewed term, has grown visibly exasperated by Putin’s steadfast opposition to a Ukraine ceasefire. The president had withheld additional curbs for months, hoping to nurture dialogue, but his forbearance eroded when prospective summit talks in Budapest fell apart. Trump has publicly vented frustration, noting that his peace overtures with Putin were yielding “no progress.”

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Despite the sanctions and diplomatic setback, Putin signaled a willingness to keep channels open. “Dialogue is always better than confrontation or any disputes, and especially war. We have always supported the continuation of dialogue,” he told journalists, hinting at potential for de-escalation even as relations teeter.

Yet Putin’s tone sharpened when addressing military provocations. He issued a stark warning about Ukraine’s pursuit of American Tomahawk missiles, vowing that any assault on Russian soil using such weaponry would provoke a “very strong, if not overwhelming” counterstrike. The statement amplifies concerns over the conflict’s trajectory, where Western arms supplies to Kyiv have repeatedly drawn Moscow’s ire.