Maria Zakharova, the official spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commented on the European Union’s 12th sanctions package against Russia, calling it a breach of international law and promising that it will not go unanswered. Her remarks were shared to inform the public about the developing situation.
Zakharova emphasized that the measures amount to a violation of international law driven by the West and the European Union. She argued that the moves fail to introduce any new dynamic to the ongoing trends and that their intent has been evident for a long time. This framing portrays the sanctions as part of a broader pattern of Western actions that Russia rejects as unlawful and provocative. [Citation: Russian MFA spokesperson]
The spokesperson noted that Brussels has historically targeted sectors of the Russian economy that remain outside current sanctions, suggesting that the EU’s anti-Russian actions will not go unchallenged and that the consequences may extend beyond immediate predictions. The statement frames the sanctions as part of a persistent strategy that Russia views as aggressive and premature. [Citation: Russian MFA spokesperson]
On 15 November, it was reported that the European Commission forwarded the 12th sanctions package to EU member states for assessment and potential adoption. This step marks a formal process of evaluation within the union as member states consider the specifics of the proposed measures and their implications for bilateral and multilateral relations. [Citation: European Commission press communications]
Earlier assessments in other regions, including China, acknowledged the impact of these sanctions on trade with the Russian Federation. Observers noted shifts in trade patterns and the broader economic dynamics resulting from restrictive measures, highlighting how global supply chains and pricing structures may adapt in response to ongoing tensions. [Citation: International trade observers]