Russia: "No Justification for Western Sanctions... Putin Didn't Even Watch Biden's Announcement"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The United States and Western countries have defined Russia as the aggressor in the invasion of Ukraine and have been unveiling sanctions one after another. However, the Russian government has rebutted these sanctions, claiming they lack grounds and justification. While closely monitoring the announcements and severity of sanctions from various countries, Russia appears to be trying to project an image of resilience externally.

According to TASS news agency on the 22nd (local time), Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated on the YouTube channel of conservative journalist "Solovyov Live" that "Western sanctions are baseless," and argued, "The view that there would be no sanctions if Russia had not recognized the independence of the pro-Russian separatist autonomous entities in Ukraine's Donbas region is a 'misconception,' and the West would have imposed sanctions anyway even without such measures."

Spokesperson Zakharova emphasized, "In 2014, the Crimean Republic's parliament resolved to merge with Russia, and with 96% approval in a referendum, the annexation of the Crimean Peninsula was a lawful action reflecting the will of the citizens. Yet the West ignores these facts and imposes sanctions annually," adding, "It is not unusual that the stated reasons for the sanctions and the related claims or actions do not align."

Despite sanctions from Western countries, the Russian government claims the measures are at an expected level and seems intent on expressing its determination to steadfastly pursue its foreign policy. According to the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, also emphasized at a press conference that "When President Biden announced the sanctions plan, President Putin was attending another meeting and did not even watch the speech broadcast."

Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, strongly criticized the Western sanctions, saying, "Welcome to the new world where Europeans have to pay over 2,000 euros (about 2.7 million won) per 1,000 cubic meters of natural gas," referring to the soaring energy prices.

Earlier that day, following the United States' announcement of financial sanctions against Russia, Germany declared the suspension of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project connecting Russia and Germany, and the United Kingdom also decided to impose sanctions targeting five Russian banks and three individuals related to the Ukraine situation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.