Russia faces over 30,000 sanctions: Putin condemns 'ugly' trade tactics

In a veiled attack against the US, Putin detailed how trade conflicts have escalated into extreme geopolitical disruptions (Photo:PTI)

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday revealed that Russia has been hit with over 30,000 sanctions, more than double the total restrictions slapped on all other countries in the world combined, as he condemned global economic coercion and "ugly" competitive tactics.

Delivering his remarks at the Leaders' Session of the Brics Business Forum in the national capital, Putin lashed out at Western nations for turning trade and diplomatic pressure into state-level interference.

"More than 30,000 sanctions have been slapped on Russia which is twice as much as the number of all sanctions against all other countries of the world combined," President Putin said.

In a veiled attack against the US, Putin detailed how trade conflicts have escalated into extreme geopolitical disruptions, emphasising the blockade of transport corridors, destruction of pipelines, illegal restrictions and the threat of possible "so-called secondary sanctions" targeting countries that don't abide by "someone else's interest."

"Sometimes competition is taking some ugly forms. This ugly form is something we see even at the State level, at the Government level," Putin asserted. "Sometimes the measures resorted to are of physical nature, when pipelines are being destroyed, when attempts are undertaken to block international transport corridors to seize maritime vessels, illegal restrictions are applied and there is also the threat of so-called secondary sanctions against those who do not want to follow someone else's interest and rather look after their own," he remarked.

Despite the unprecedented wave of punitive measures, the Russian President emphasised that Moscow has successfully pivoted its trade strategy by expanding ties with "reliable, predictable partners."

"Against this difficult backdrop, Russia has been working actively and Russia has managed to achieve great success. We have reinforced our national sovereignty, we are developing ties with reliable, predictable partners." Putin noted.

Pointing to economic performance as evidence of resilience, he added, "During the last 3 years, the economic growth in Russia has been superior to the world average."

Notably, last month, the US Senate passed the bipartisan Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 by an 86-11 vote.