The US on Wednesday imposed rigorous new sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia’s two most dominant oil corporations to increase pressure on the Kremlin to negotiate an immediate end to the continuing war against Ukraine. These sanctions represent the first punitive measures targeting Russia since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January. The sanctions aim directly to cut key revenues from oil sales which ultimately finance the massive Russian war machine.
A Sharper Stance Against Moscow
The Trump administration’s strategy shifts from urging Kyiv toward peace to expressing growing frustration with Vladimir Putin’s maximalist demands. “Now is the necessary time to stop this senseless killing and establish an immediate ceasefire,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asserted in a formal statement. Bessent confirmed the Treasury is prepared to take further aggressive action supporting President Trump’s strong effort to finally end the prolonged conflict.
Furthermore, he strongly encouraged European allies to join Washington immediately and fully adhere to these latest powerful sanctions. The British government recently sanctioned both Rosneft and Lukoil last week, demonstrating key allied support. However, the EU currently sanctions only state-owned Rosneft, exempting Lukoil due to specific member state dependencies.
Meanwhile, President Trump confirmed he immediately cancelled a planned crucial summit with Putin during a conversation in the Oval Office. Speaking with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump explained the meeting “did not feel right to me” at this critical time. This sudden cancellation signals a definite breakdown in ongoing diplomatic negotiations between the White House and Moscow leadership.
Focus on Enforcement
This latest move attempts the most direct and impactful strategy yet to cut crucial revenues from Russian oil sales abroad. Edward Fishman, a former senior State Department official, called Rosneft the most crucial Russian firm not yet under full American sanctions.
Consequently, the central remaining question now is whether the US threatens global traders, banks, and refineries facilitating these oil sales. Fishman expects “some pullback from dealings with Russian oil in the short term” due to this significant action. He concluded that long-term strategic success depends heavily upon US commitment to active, ongoing, and vigorous enforcement.
The European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, immediately praised the new sanctions shortly after speaking with Secretary Bessent. She declared this action a clear collective signal from both sides of the Atlantic that they will maintain pressure on the aggressor. The EU prepares to introduce its 19th sanctions package, forbidding financial dealings with Rosneft and Gazprom Neft soon.
