Saturday, March 29, 2025
The United States has announced tough new economic sanctions against two of Russia’s largest oil companies in an effort to cut off funding for the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine. The move signals Washington’s growing impatience with Moscow’s continued aggression and its refusal to engage seriously in peace efforts.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant said the sanctions are designed to “strike at the heart of the Kremlin’s war machine.” The two sanctioned energy giants—whose names were not disclosed immediately for operational reasons—play a key role in generating revenues that sustain Russia’s military campaign.
According to the Treasury Department, the restrictions will freeze the companies’ assets under US jurisdiction and bar American individuals or entities from doing business with them. The goal is to choke off vital energy profits that have been funding President Vladimir Putin’s prolonged war effort.
President Donald Trump emphasized that this step is part of a broader attempt to secure an “immediate ceasefire” in Ukraine. However, he admitted that his recent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin was “unproductive,” saying it’s time to end the bloodshed and move toward negotiations.
While the White House called this measure temporary, officials hinted that further actions are possible if Russia continues to defy international peace appeals. “If necessary, we are prepared to go further,” Treasury Secretary Bessant warned, urging US allies to join the sanctions effort.
The Treasury clarified that the decision came in response to “Russia’s lack of seriousness toward the peace process.” By hitting its oil revenue stream—the backbone of its economy—the US hopes to force Moscow back to the negotiating table.
As the war grinds on with no end in sight, Washington’s latest sanctions mark one of its most direct economic strikes yet against Russia’s energy sector, raising both political and market tensions globally.
