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The Russian foreign ministry has denounced the United States sanctions on the Arctic LNG 2 project, claiming these measures jeopardize worldwide energy stability.

The ministry’s spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, expressed strong disapproval on Wednesday, labeling the US actions “unacceptable” and detrimental to the international energy landscape. These sanctions, part of a broader strategy to diminish Moscow’s financial resources for its military activities in Ukraine, specifically target the Arctic LNG 2, a significant liquefied natural gas facility under construction in the Arctic.

Zakharova criticized Washington’s approach as contradictory, accusing it of undermining global economic security under the guise of its maintenance. She argued that the US aims to eliminate competitors and destabilize the international energy market, emphasizing that the Arctic LNG 2 project is crucial for many countries’ energy needs.

Despite being the fourth-largest producer of sea-borne LNG, Russia’s plans to increase its global market share are now at risk due to the sanctions, which have led to the withdrawal of international partners from the project and forced Novatek, the project developer, to halt LNG supplies.

The sanctions reflect the West’s broader strategy to weaken Russia’s military capabilities following its invasion of Ukraine. However, Russia argues that the sanctions have backfired on Europe by causing energy prices to surge. At the same time, Moscow has successfully redirected its energy exports to Asian markets, particularly China and India.