MOSCOW, July 18: Moscow downplayed on Friday the impact of fresh European Union sanctions on Russia's economy, saying they were "illegal" and would backfire.
Brussels agreed its 18th package of sanctions on Russia over Moscow's military offensive on Ukraine, targeting Russian banks and lowering a price cap on oil exports.
"We will certainly analyse the new package in order to minimise its impact," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, including AFP, on a briefing call.
"But every new package adds to the negative effect on the very countries that join in on them."
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Russia has largely defied the West's attempts to cripple its economy with sanctions.
Officials have blasted the restrictions as breaching international law and touted Moscow's effectiveness in getting round them.
"We have already developed a certain immunity to sanctions. We have adapted to life under sanctions," Peskov said.
The Russian economy has grown strongly since a dip in 2022, when it launched its military campaign against its neighbour, boosted by a massive increase in spending on soldiers and weapons.
