The US has imposed sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, a move the Trump administration is casting as a direct consequence of “President Putin’s refusal to end this senseless war” in Ukraine.
This is the first set of sanctions against Russia since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the move, stating, “Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire.”
The sanctions are designed to cut off the “key revenues” from oil sales that finance Russia’s military. Bessent warned that the Treasury “is prepared to take further action if necessary” to support Trump’s goal of ending the war.
This hardening of US policy was also reflected in President Trump’s cancellation of a planned summit with Putin. Trump told reporters the meeting “didn’t feel right” because he didn’t believe they could “get to the place we have to get.”
The US action was welcomed by the EU. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the “clear signal” of unity, noting the EU is also about to adopt its 19th sanctions package, which will target Russian LNG and its “shadow fleet” of oil tankers.
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