INTERNATIONAL
US readies new Russia sanctions if Putin rejects peace deal, Bloomberg News reports
White House says US President Donald Trump has made no new decisions on Russian sanctions as reports suggest options targeting oil tankers and traders are being weighed. - ADOBE STOCK
The United States is preparing a further round of sanctions targeting Russia's energy sector to increase pressure on Moscow should it reject a peace deal with Ukraine, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
AI Brief
A White House official told Reuters that U.S. President Donald Trump had made no new decisions regarding Russian sanctions.
"It is the role of agencies to prepare options for the president to execute," the official said.
Bloomberg had reported the U.S. was considering options including targeting vessels in what is known as Russia's shadow fleet of tankers used to transport exported oil, as well as traders who facilitate such transactions.
The new measures could be announced as early as this week, the report said, adding that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed the move with a group of European ambassadors this week.
"It is explicitly false to conclude any decisions have been made regarding future sanctions against Russia. As we have said for months, all options remain on the table in support of President Trump’s tireless efforts to stop the senseless killing, and to achieving a lasting, durable peace," a U.S. Treasury Department spokesperson said.
A State Department spokesperson told Reuters it does not preview sanctions.
Asked about the Bloomberg article, the Kremlin said it had not seen the report but that any sanctions harm efforts to mend U.S.-Russia relations.
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AI Brief
- White House denies any new decisions on Russian sanctions despite reports of possible measures targeting shadow fleet tankers and traders.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed potential sanctions with European ambassadors, while State Department says it does not preview sanctions.
- Kremlin warns new sanctions would harm US-Russia relations as Trump keeps all options open for peace efforts.
A White House official told Reuters that U.S. President Donald Trump had made no new decisions regarding Russian sanctions.
"It is the role of agencies to prepare options for the president to execute," the official said.
Bloomberg had reported the U.S. was considering options including targeting vessels in what is known as Russia's shadow fleet of tankers used to transport exported oil, as well as traders who facilitate such transactions.
The new measures could be announced as early as this week, the report said, adding that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed the move with a group of European ambassadors this week.
"It is explicitly false to conclude any decisions have been made regarding future sanctions against Russia. As we have said for months, all options remain on the table in support of President Trump’s tireless efforts to stop the senseless killing, and to achieving a lasting, durable peace," a U.S. Treasury Department spokesperson said.
A State Department spokesperson told Reuters it does not preview sanctions.
Asked about the Bloomberg article, the Kremlin said it had not seen the report but that any sanctions harm efforts to mend U.S.-Russia relations.
Your gateway to global news, insights, and stories that matter.