The United States imposed new sanctions Wednesday on Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, citing what Washington described as Moscow’s “lack of serious commitment” to peace efforts aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
According to the Treasury Department, the sanctions target Russia’s energy sector in order to “degrade the Kremlin’s ability to raise revenue for its war machine” and further pressure its struggling economy. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged an immediate ceasefire, saying, “Now is the time to stop the killing.”
Bessent added that the measures come in response to President Vladimir Putin’s continued refusal to halt the conflict, stressing that the Treasury is ready to take additional steps in support of President Donald Trump’s peace efforts. The move follows the postponement of a planned second meeting between Trump and Putin, which was delayed after the Kremlin rejected Washington’s latest ceasefire proposal.
