Russia has expressed concerns that new US sanctions targeting its oil industry may hinder diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict. The sanctions, announced by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, affect Russia’s two largest oil companies. Trump stated that his peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin had not yielded the desired progress, prompting the introduction of new restrictions.

The US had previously held off on introducing new sanctions against Russia, but the collapse of plans for a summit between Trump and Putin in Budapest led to a change in approach. The Russian foreign ministry has criticized the move, with spokeswoman Maria Zakharova describing it as “counterproductive” and arguing that it undermines efforts to find a negotiated solution to the Ukrainian conflict.

Zakharova emphasized that Russia has developed a “strong immunity” to Western restrictions and will continue to pursue its economic and energy goals unabated. The sanctions are the latest development in a complex and ongoing situation, with the US and Russia having differing views on the conflict in Ukraine.

The introduction of new sanctions reflects the challenges faced by the US and Russia in their diplomatic efforts. Despite previous talks between Trump and Putin, a resolution to the conflict remains elusive. The US has been critical of Russia’s role in the conflict, while Russia has insisted that it is committed to finding a peaceful solution.

The impact of the sanctions on Russia’s oil industry and the broader economy remains to be seen. However, Russia’s assertion that it has developed a “strong immunity” to Western restrictions suggests that it is confident in its ability to withstand the effects of the sanctions. As the situation continues to unfold, it is likely that the US and Russia will remain at odds over the conflict in Ukraine and the role of sanctions in resolving it.

The development is significant, given the ongoing tensions between the US and Russia. The US has been seeking to increase pressure on Russia to change its approach to the conflict, while Russia has resisted what it sees as external interference. The introduction of new sanctions is a further escalation of the situation, and it remains to be seen how Russia will respond.