In Kyiv, officials hope that the new restrictions will target key sectors of the Russian economy and serve as a crucial tool in applying pressure on Russia to achieve peace.
US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham noted that if Russia continues to reject a “decent and just” peace that aligns with Ukraine’s interests, senators are prepared to support a bipartisan bill to enhance sanctions. The new measures would include imposing secondary duties on countries that purchase Russian oil, gas, uranium, or other goods.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump condemned the latest Russian strikes on civilian areas in Ukraine, expressing skepticism that Putin intends to end the war while threatening it with new “banking or secondary” sanctions. Nevertheless, the US has postponed sanctions against Gazprom’s subsidiary in Serbia, the Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) oil company, for the third time.
Conversely, Moscow appears unconvinced about the prospect of tightened sanctions, as Russian oil companies are drilling at a pace not witnessed in at least five years, preparing for a potential easing of restrictions in response to upcoming peace talks.