US President Donald Trump has announced new economic sanctions on Russia's two biggest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. The move comes after a meeting between Trump and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte failed to produce any breakthroughs in peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The sanctions target the two companies' ability to export oil globally, which is crucial for Russia's economy. Rosneft produces nearly half of Russia's oil output, accounting for 6% of global production. The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the sanctions were necessary due to Putin's refusal to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump expressed frustration with previous talks with Putin, saying they did not lead to any progress. "Every time I speak to Vladimir, I have good conversations and then they don't go anywhere," he said. The US has been trying to pressure Russia into negotiations for months, but so far, no deal has been reached.
The sanctions package was welcomed by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who described it as a "strong signal" from the US. EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen also praised the move, saying that collective pressure would be needed to bring Russia back to the negotiating table.
Russia's ambassador to London responded to the sanctions by warning that they would disrupt global fuel supplies and drive up costs worldwide. The two Russian oil firms export 3.1 million barrels of oil per day, making them crucial to Russia's economy.
The US has repeatedly called on Putin to freeze fighting along current frontlines in Ukraine. Trump has endorsed proposals for a ceasefire and said he hopes the sanctions will force Russia to make concessions. However, Russia has rejected these calls, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying that Russia would not change its stance over the war.
As tensions between the US and Russia escalate, Ukraine's President Volodomyr Zelensky is calling on the US to supply long-range missiles to his forces, a move he believes will bring pressure on Russia to negotiate.
The sanctions target the two companies' ability to export oil globally, which is crucial for Russia's economy. Rosneft produces nearly half of Russia's oil output, accounting for 6% of global production. The US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the sanctions were necessary due to Putin's refusal to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump expressed frustration with previous talks with Putin, saying they did not lead to any progress. "Every time I speak to Vladimir, I have good conversations and then they don't go anywhere," he said. The US has been trying to pressure Russia into negotiations for months, but so far, no deal has been reached.
The sanctions package was welcomed by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who described it as a "strong signal" from the US. EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen also praised the move, saying that collective pressure would be needed to bring Russia back to the negotiating table.
Russia's ambassador to London responded to the sanctions by warning that they would disrupt global fuel supplies and drive up costs worldwide. The two Russian oil firms export 3.1 million barrels of oil per day, making them crucial to Russia's economy.
The US has repeatedly called on Putin to freeze fighting along current frontlines in Ukraine. Trump has endorsed proposals for a ceasefire and said he hopes the sanctions will force Russia to make concessions. However, Russia has rejected these calls, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying that Russia would not change its stance over the war.
As tensions between the US and Russia escalate, Ukraine's President Volodomyr Zelensky is calling on the US to supply long-range missiles to his forces, a move he believes will bring pressure on Russia to negotiate.
. Now Russia's oil companies are like "Uh, can we still export?" 
. Like, who doesn't love a good oil embargo? It's not like they're gonna starve or anything... oh wait, they kinda will 
. On a serious note, it's interesting to see how this plays out. Is Trump's sanctions game strong enough to get Russia to the negotiating table? We'll have to wait and see 
.
These sanctions are gonna have some serious blowback, like, Russia's economy is already struggling and now they're gonna lose access to the global oil market? It's like, you can't exactly ask for a friend to help you out when you're about to get roasted 
. But at the same time, I feel like we're just kicking the can down the road here. Russia's got some serious economic muscle, and these sanctions aren't gonna hurt them too much, if you know what I mean 
. And let's be real, Putin's not gonna cave to Trump's demands without some major concessions 
It just seems like another way to try and get Putin to blink without actually having any real leverage. And honestly, it feels kinda reckless - we're playing with fire over there and I don't think anyone's really thinking about the potential consequences for global fuel supplies. 
Not saying sanctions are a bad idea or anything, but let's at least have a clear plan for how this is going to play out... 
This sanctions thing just gets more and more crazy. I mean, I get it, Putin's all aggressive with Ukraine and whatnot, but do we really need to hurt our own economy too? It's like we're trying to punish ourselves as well. 
And what's the point of a ceasefire if we just keep piling on more sanctions? I feel like we're just creating a cycle of retaliation and no one's gonna come out the winner here... 
. Like, can't we just talk to each other already? 
But I guess the US has to try something, 'cause Russia's not budging on Ukraine. I feel bad for the people affected by this sanctions, though - it's gonna hurt the global fuel supplies and cause prices to soar 
. We need some collective pressure to get Putin back to the negotiating table, but I'm not holding my breath 
. This whole thing is just super frustrating 
.
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." 
the sanctions are like finally something being done about Russia's mess over there. Trump's getting it right by taking a stand and putting some pressure on Putin. Those oil companies gotta feel the heat, literally 
, not empty promises from Trump. The US is playing a game of chicken here and it's gonna take more than some economic pressure to make Putin fold.
. This isn't just about sanctions; it's about the global economy, geopolitics...it's a mess 
. And Russia's ambassador is already warning about fuel supplies? C'mon, dude 
. And what's the point of even trying to negotiate with Putin when he's not even listening? 
It's all so frustrating and hopeless 
. It's not easy being the leader of Russia, especially with all these international pressures 
. I'm rooting for Ukraine, btw 
. They need our support! The sanctions might just do the trick to get Russia back to the negotiating table 
. It's gonna hurt innocent people and businesses too... Rosneft produces half of Russia's oil and Lukoil is huge. This is not the way to solve anything. The US should be working with Russia, Ukraine, everyone... let's try to find a peaceful solution here 
.
. The US needs to find a way to make Russia see sense without hurting innocent people, you know? It's like that scene from Avengers where Iron Man is trying to figure out how to take down Thanos 
.
. I hope Trump and Putin can have a real talk soon, not just a bunch of scripted speeches 
. And what's up with Russia being all dramatic about the sanctions?