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"MOSCOW, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Russia's Foreign Ministry on Saturday spoke out against Washington's targeting of Moscow's energy sector as an attempt to harm Russia's economy, risking destabilizing global markets. The country reiterated its commitment to proceeding with major oil and gas projects.

In response to Washington's "hostile" actions announced on Friday, the ministry statement indicated that Russia would adjust its foreign policy strategy accordingly.

The statement characterized the measures as an effort to "inflict damage on the Russian economy, risking global destabilization as President Joe Biden's term nears its end."

"Despite turmoil in the White House and efforts from anti-Russian groups in the West to involve the energy sector in the 'hybrid war' initiated by the United States, our country continues to play a pivotal and trustworthy role in the global fuel market."

The sanctions represented the most comprehensive U.S. sanctions package to date targeting Russia's oil and gas revenues, aiming to provide leverage for Kyiv and Donald Trump's incoming administration to negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, companies engaged in oil exploration, production, and sales, along with 183 vessels involved in shipping Russian oil, including vessels from an aging tanker fleet operated by non-Western entities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy noted that the sanctions would deal a significant blow to Moscow, stating, "The lesser Russia earns from oil, the sooner peace will be restored."