On the face of US sanctions on two of Russia’s oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, Vladimir Putin appeared defiant. The move was aimed to harm the Russian economy, which would, in turn, lead to the end of the Ukraine war. However Putin believes that the impact would not be as widespread as Trump originally assumed. Trump, on the other hand, has also taken it as a challenge and given it six months. Advertisement

"This is, of course, an attempt to put pressure on Russia," Putin said. "But no self-respecting country and no self-respecting people ever decides anything under pressure."

Putin derided the sanctions as an unfriendly act, and said they would not significantly affect the Russian economy. He also talked up Russia's importance to the global market, and warned that a sharp supply drop w

See Full Page