America's attempt to buy oil from Iran and Venezuela and mock Putin

The Russian president has mocked US efforts to buy oil from Iran and Venezuela, saying sanctions against the country are destabilizing global markets and that Russia will “find a way to adapt.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a video conference with members of his cabinet on Thursday, March 10, that Western sanctions against the country were destabilizing global energy and food markets, and claimed that Russia would emerge from this crisis stronger than before.

Western countries have responded to Russia's aggression in Ukraine with sweeping sanctions and are looking to make them even more severe. The United States has banned imports of Russian oil and gas and has urged other countries to follow suit. Britain has also said it will end oil imports from Russia by the end of this year.

Moscow finds a way to adapt

Putin has downplayed the sanctions, saying Moscow will find a way to “adapt.” He believes the policy is hurting the United States and Europe.

Putin stressed that Moscow would continue to export oil and gas, including through Ukraine, amid the conflict and “honors all its energy supply obligations.” He blamed the West for rising energy prices, saying, referring to rising prices in Europe, “This is not our fault. This is the result of their miscalculations. There is no need to blame us.”

Putin also ridiculed the US's attempts to close oil deals with Iran and Venezuela, saying they were "ready to make peace with Iran and immediately sign all the documents."

The Russian president also warned that Western sanctions could increase food prices in the world, as Russia is one of the world's main producers of fertilizer.

"If they continue to create problems with financing and logistics for the delivery of our goods (fertilizer), prices will increase and this will affect the final product, which is food products," he said.

Anadolu Agency announced on Thursday that Russia has banned the export of more than 200 goods, including automobiles and telecommunications parts, medical devices, electronics, and agricultural products, until the end of this year.

According to the announcement, "the export of rail transportation equipment, containers, turbines and machinery is prohibited, and the export of monitors, projectors, consoles and panels has also been suspended."

Since February 24, with Russia's attack on Ukraine, gas and crude oil prices have risen rapidly in European and global markets, breaking records on some days.

EU leaders, now meeting in Versailles, have said they will not comply with the sanctions on Russian oil and gas because of the heavy consequences for their industries. Germany and Italy are the most dependent on Russian gas.

Putin's calm appearance to downplay sanctions

Putin appeared calm as he spoke about the difficulties created by the sanctions, promising: “We will get through this period.” He urged the country to adapt to the new conditions, acknowledging that “Russians may be worried about the supply being cut off, but there is nothing the Kremlin cannot solve.”

He said: “It is clear that in such times, people’s demand for certain goods always increases, but we have no doubt that at the right time we will resolve these problems peacefully and people will gradually return to normal.”