Sanctions will not change the Kremlin’s course: Peskov repeats old rhetoric amid new restrictions
8 September 17:22
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that no Western sanctions will force Russia to change its policy toward Ukraine. The comment came amid reports that the United States and the European Union are preparing new restrictions aimed at increasing economic pressure on Moscow.
Reuters reports this, "Komersant Ukrainian".
He also accused Ukraine and Europe of trying to draw the United States into the conflict, while repeating his statement about Russia’s alleged readiness for a diplomatic solution to the war. However, he said that if negotiations are not possible, the “special military operation” will continue.
Western countries have already imposed thousands of sanctions on Russia, starting with the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and especially after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The goal is to undermine Russia’s $2.2 trillion economy and reduce support for the Putin regime.
U.S. President Donald Trump has declared his readiness to move to the second stage of sanctions, in particular against buyers of Russian oil. European Council President Antonio Costa confirmed that a new package of EU sanctions is being prepared in close coordination with Washington.
Despite the growth of Russia’s military economy in 2023-2024, this year it is showing a sharp slowdown. The reasons are high interest rates, a protracted war, and a decline in foreign trade. In particular, trade between Russia and China in January-August 2025 decreased by 9.4% to $143.8 billion.
