Washington is preparing a new round of sanctions against key sectors of the Russian economy, in particular the banking sector and oil infrastructure. European partners support the initiative, although some officials are calling for even more decisive steps. Against the background of these actions, the Kremlin is trying to create the impression of readiness for a “diplomatic settlement” and at the same time launches information campaigns to influence American policy.
The US is preparing a new package of sanctions against key sectors of the Russian economy
The administration of US President Donald Trump has developed additional sanctions aimed at the banking sector and infrastructure related to the supply of Russian oil.
According to Reutersthis step will be the next stage of pressure on Moscow if Putin does not de-escalate the war against Ukraine.
Washington is also discussing the possibility of using frozen Russian assets to finance the purchase of weapons for Ukraine. European allies have already been given proposals for coordinated action.
In addition, the US Senate is stepping up its own efforts to tighten sanctions, resuming discussions on a bipartisan bill. According to sources, Trump is ready to support the package, but its approval is not expected before next month.
One senior official stressed that Washington would like to see the “next big step” from European partners – additional restrictions or tariffs against Russia.
At the same time, the US president plans to take a break to assess Moscow’s response to previous sanctions against Lukoil and Rosneft.
Finnish Foreign Minister Calls for Increased Sanctions Pressure on Moscow
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen praised the new US and EU sanctions against Russia’s energy sector, but stressed that they are not enough.
In an interview Bloomberg she said that the Kremlin’s imperial ambitions are unlikely to be changed, but its economic calculations can be.
“The recent move by the United States, in coordination with Europe, to tighten sanctions against Russia is very important. However, we must increase the pressure even more,” Valtonen stressed.
The head of the Finnish Foreign Ministry added that the war is costing Russia an extremely high price, and its economy cannot withstand the current loads. According to her, “the real economy of the Russian Federation is unable to withstand this burden,” and sanctions policy should remain one of the key instruments of influence.
Finland advocates for the coordination of new European measures against Moscow, in particular in the energy and financial sectors, in order to strengthen the economic isolation of the aggressor.
Bessent responded to the Kremlin: sanctions do not harm the US and hit Russia
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the American economy is not harmed by sanctions against Russia, but rather these restrictions are pushing Putin to negotiate.
In an interview CBS News he emphasized that sanctions against oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft significantly reduce the Kremlin's profits.
“The Russian economy is a wartime economy. Growth is practically zero. Inflation is over 20%, and everything we do will lead Putin to negotiations,” Bessent said.
He also sharply criticized the Russian representative Kirill Dmitriev, who arrived in the US to demand the lifting of sanctions.
“Are you really going to publish what a Russian propagandist says? Their oil revenues have decreased by 20% compared to last year,” the minister said.
Bessent added that President Trump continues the policy of “bold economic maneuvering” aimed at weakening the resource base of the war. He believes that the current US strategy is forcing Moscow to pay a high price for aggression against Ukraine.
Putin’s envoy announced the “closeness of a diplomatic settlement”
Russian special representative Kirill Dmitriev said during a visit to Washington that the US, Ukraine and Russia are supposedly close to reaching agreements on ending the war.
As Reutersreports, he called President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statement that the negotiations could concern the front lines a “big step.”
“This is a big step by President Zelensky – to admit that we are talking about the front lines… His previous position was that Russia should completely withdraw,” Dmitriev said.
At the same time, he denied Trump’s statement about canceling the upcoming meeting with Putin, claiming that the talks between the two leaders could take place later.
His visit to the United States coincided with the announcement of new American sanctions against key Russian oil companies aimed at putting pressure on the Kremlin.
Observers believe that Dmitriev is trying to create the impression of diplomatic progress in order to soften the West’s reaction to the tightening of sanctions.
ISW: Kremlin uses the United States as a “weapon” in the war against Ukraine
The Institute for the Study of War (ISWreported on a new information campaign by Moscow aimed at manipulating the American political environment.
According to analysts, the Kremlin seeks to use the renewed interest of the United States in dialogue as a tool for pressure on Kyiv and the West. One of the main areas of such propaganda is the topic of abducted Ukrainian children, which Russia uses to accuse Ukraine of “disinformation”.
At the same time, the United States is considering a bill to recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism precisely because of the deportation of children.
ISW notes that diplomatic blackmail also applies to the Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty. Moscow demonstrates the illusion of openness, but in fact is trying to avoid responsibility for the war. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced the possibility of “resuming negotiations”, although the Kremlin continues its aggression.
Analysts believe that such statements are combined with intimidation tactics - in particular, Peskov promised a “staggering response” in the event of the supply of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
Author: Danylo Pievchev