US President Donald Trump has, for the first time, introduced new sanctions against Russia, specifically targeting two of the country's largest oil companies—Rosneft and Lukoil—as well as their subsidiaries. This move marks a significant shift in US-Russia relations, as Trump had previously been reluctant to take such measures.
Trump stated that the timing felt right, expressing hope that the sanctions would be short-lived if the war is settled. Sanctions also affect international cooperation, with India reportedly prepared to suspend collaborative projects with Russian entities.
The article notes, however, that the effectiveness of these sanctions depends largely on enforcement mechanisms, which, according to the author, have weakened under Trump’s administration. Shortly after the sanctions were introduced, Ukrainian drones targeted the Ryazan Oil Refinery, which was included on the sanctions list.
The analysis covers the reactions from Russia and the United States. Initially, Trump pursued an unconditional ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. However, after multiple meetings with Putin failed to yield results, he moved forward with the sanctions.
Despite Trump’s personal admiration for Putin, he is acting under pressure and is compelled to offer limited assistance to Ukraine against his preferences. Officially, the US claims not to supply missiles to Ukraine, but, in practice, military aid is facilitated through European partners and permissions.
The article also details Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian military and industrial sites, including an incident in Chelyabinsk region, escalating the economic pressure on Russia. The author emphasizes the crucial role of volunteer support and calls on Ukrainians to contribute to military fundraising efforts.
Overall, the situation highlights escalating sanctions and military pressure on Russia, though a halt to the war is not anticipated in the near future.
