A war between the United States and Russia using chess pieces and flags on a reflective background
War between the United States and Russia using chess pieces and flags on a reflective background
WASHINGTON, DC, (AP) – In a major escalation of economic pressure on Moscow, President Donald Trump’s administration announced a new wave of sanctions on Wednesday targeting Russia’s oil industry the economic engine that has fueled President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
The U.S. Treasury Department blacklisted Russia’s top two energy giants, Rosneft and Lukoil, along with several of their subsidiaries, freezing assets under American jurisdiction and banning transactions with U.S. entities. The move followed months of pleas from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and growing bipartisan demands in Washington for tougher measures aimed at cutting Russia’s war financing.
“Hopefully he’ll become reasonable,” Trump said of Putin shortly after the announcement. “And hopefully Zelenskyy will be reasonable, too. It takes two to tango.”
The administration’s decision coincided with the visit of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to Washington, where he met with U.S. officials to discuss continued military and humanitarian support for Ukraine. NATO partners, including Canada and several European nations, have purchased and delivered U.S.made weapons to Kyiv as part of the alliance’s coordinated aid effort.
Analysts note that the sanctions mark one of the Trump administration’s most direct attempts to squeeze Russia’s core industry since the invasion began. By targeting oil exports which represent roughly a third of Russia’s national budget, the White House aims to weaken Moscow’s capacity to sustain the conflict and to compel the Kremlin to enter negotiations.
While the impact on global energy markets remains to be seen, economists warn that the sanctions’ effectiveness will depend on how strictly they are enforced and whether key trading partners in Asia and the Middle East cooperate.
For now, the U.S. message is clear: Washington is turning up the pressure on Russia’s economic lifeline, in hopes of transforming battlefield momentum into diplomatic leverage and, ultimately, peace.
Sources: Associated Press, Reuters, CBS News, Sky News, U.S. Treasury Department briefings
