Trump Administration Finalizes New Sanctions Against Russia Amid Frustration Over Ukraine War
The United States has finalized a new package of economic sanctions targeting Russia, escalating pressure on Moscow to engage in President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine. The sanctions, which include measures against the Russian banking and energy sectors, aim to compel President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire and peace negotiations, according to multiple U.S. officials and sources familiar with the matter.
The targets of the new sanctions include state-owned energy giant Gazprom and other major entities involved in Russia’s natural resources and banking industries, an administration official revealed. However, specific details of the sanctions package remain undisclosed.
The implementation of these sanctions hinges on President Trump’s approval. While Trump has previously expressed sympathy for Russia’s positions, his administration has grown increasingly frustrated with Putin’s reluctance to heed calls for a ceasefire and engage in peace talks.
The U.S. National Security Council is coordinating the development of these punitive measures against Russia, which require Trump’s authorization. "This will have to be signed off by Trump. It’s totally his call," a second U.S. official confirmed, emphasizing the President’s ultimate authority in this matter.
National Security Council Spokesman James Hewitt stated, "From the beginning, the president has been clear about his commitment to achieving a full and comprehensive ceasefire." He refrained from commenting on the specific details of ongoing negotiations. The U.S. Treasury, responsible for implementing most U.S. sanctions, has not yet issued a statement on the matter.
The approval of new sanctions, following the recent signing of a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal heavily promoted by Trump as part of his peace initiative, could signal a more assertive stance towards the Kremlin.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the United States and its allies have implemented a series of sanctions against the country. While these measures have negatively impacted Russia’s economy, Moscow has found ways to circumvent the sanctions and sustain its war efforts.
Kurt Volker, former U.S. envoy to NATO and U.S. special representative for Ukraine negotiations during Trump’s first term, noted Trump’s attempts to encourage Putin to embrace a ceasefire and end the war. "Trump has been bending over backwards to give Putin every opportunity to say, ‘Okay, we’re going to have a ceasefire and an end to the war,’ and Putin keeps rejecting him," Volker said. "This is the next phase of putting some pressure on Russia."
Volker emphasized that Trump has aligned the U.S. and Ukraine in calling for an immediate and full ceasefire, isolating Putin as the outlier.
Since assuming office in January, Trump has taken actions perceived as efforts to encourage Russia’s acceptance of his peace plan. These actions include disbanding a Justice Department task force established to enforce sanctions and target oligarchs close to the Kremlin. He has also made pro-Moscow statements, falsely accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy of starting the conflict and referring to him as a "dictator."
Furthermore, Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, has advocated a peace strategy that would cede four Ukrainian regions to Moscow and has met with Putin four times, most recently last week.
However, just three days after Witkoff’s meeting with Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s maximalist demands for a settlement, while Russian forces continued their frontline attacks and missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities, resulting in further civilian casualties.
Reuters reported in March that the United States was considering a plan to potentially offer Russia sanctions relief, but Trump has recently expressed frustration with Putin’s reluctance to end the invasion. Last Saturday, Trump held a "very productive" one-on-one meeting with Zelenskiy at the Vatican.
The following day, Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that he was "strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions and Tariffs on Russia" that would remain in place until a ceasefire and a final peace agreement were reached.
Volker highlighted Russia’s reliance on oil and gas sales to countries like India and China to generate the hard currency necessary to fund its military. He stressed that imposing secondary sanctions on such deals would be a "very significant" step.
Secondary sanctions involve a country imposing penalties on a second country for trading with a third country, typically by restricting access to its own market. The United States’ economic influence makes this a particularly powerful tool.
The approval and implementation of these new sanctions could significantly escalate tensions between the U.S. and Russia. While the effectiveness of sanctions in altering Russia’s behavior remains a subject of debate, the Trump administration hopes that these measures will create the necessary pressure for Putin to engage in meaningful negotiations and end the war in Ukraine. The situation remains fluid, and the ultimate outcome will depend on President Trump’s decision and Russia’s response.
