US Sanctions Russian Oil Giants Rosneft and Lukoil Over Ukraine War
The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on two major Russian oil companies — Rosneft and Lukoil — as part of ongoing efforts to halt Russia’s war against Ukraine. This marks the first time during President Donald Trump’s current term that Russia has been directly targeted by American sanctions for its military aggression.
In a statement, the U.S. Treasury Department said the move was in response to “Russian President Vladimir Putin’s refusal to end a senseless war.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bassant emphasized that the sanctioned companies provide critical funding for the Kremlin’s war machine and warned that further measures may be taken if necessary.
Internationally, several countries have taken similar steps. The UK sanctioned both Rosneft and Lukoil last week, while the European Union added only Rosneft to its sanctions list. Lukoil, a private company, has so far been exempt from EU sanctions due to specific waivers granted to Hungary and Slovakia.
President Trump also announced the cancellation of a planned meeting with Putin, a move seen as another sign of deadlock in US-Russia negotiations. Previously, Trump had imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods in retaliation for New Delhi’s purchase of discounted Russian oil.
Edward Fishman, a former U.S. State Department official, noted that Rosneft was one of the last key Russian firms not yet fully sanctioned. He cautioned that the success of the sanctions will depend on the consistent enforcement by the U.S. and its allies.
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Washington’s decision and reaffirmed international cooperation in ramping up pressure on Moscow. She highlighted that the U.S. sanctions, along with the EU’s 19th sanctions package, demonstrate the West’s unified commitment to countering Russian aggression.
The new EU sanctions package is expected to include a ban on importing liquefied natural gas from Russia, blacklisting Russian-linked oil tankers, and cutting several Russian banks and institutions off from the global financial system. There are also considerations to limit visa-free travel for Russian diplomats within the Schengen area.
These measures come at a time when the Taliban administration has remained silent on both Russia’s offensive and the growing international sanctions, a stance that once again underscores its ideological and political alignment with authoritarian regimes.
