Putin Faces US, EU Sanctions Over Ukraine War Without Significant Economic Impact

US President Donald Trump has imposed significant sanctions on Russia's top oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, aiming to pressure President Vladimir Putin to seek a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict. Putin acknowledged the sanctions as serious but insisted they would not substantially harm Russia's economy or influence its war stance, framing them as an "unfriendly act" and a pressure tactic that Russia would resist. The sanctions have contributed to a global oil price increase and prompted considerations by countries like India to reduce Russian crude imports, while Putin warned that disrupting Russian exports could spike global oil prices and create political challenges for the US. Experts note that these sanctions represent a political signal of responsibility for the war, emphasizing a long-term strategy requiring coordination with European allies and military support for Ukraine to be effective. Despite the sanctions and the cancellation of a planned Trump-Putin meeting, Putin calls for continued dialogue but maintains a firm stance on Ukraine's disarmament and Russian territorial gains. The situation underscores the ongoing geopolitical complexity and the interplay of economic measures with diplomatic efforts in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.