The United States is preparing to increase pressure on Russia. The Trump administration has developed a new set of sanctions targeting key parts of the Russian economy.
According to US officials, these measures are ready if President Vladimir Putin continues to delay ending the war in Ukraine. This follows the first sanctions imposed by the Trump administration since its return to office.
The new sanctions would target critical sectors of the Russian economy. These include the banking system and the infrastructure used to transport oil to global markets.
The administration is also exploring other financial measures. US officials have expressed support for a European plan to use frozen Russian assets to buy American weapons for Ukraine. Washington is also holding early internal discussions about leveraging Russian assets held in the US. This indicates a well-developed toolkit for further economic escalation.
Read: US Prepares New Russia Sanctions as Ukraine Peace Efforts Stall
These preparations come amid a stalled diplomatic process. President Trump, who has positioned himself as a global peacemaker, has admitted that ending the war is harder than he anticipated. A recent meeting with Putin in Alaska failed to make progress. Trump has since stated he will not meet with the Russian leader again unless a peace deal is likely.
This has left European allies hoping the US will continue to increase pressure on Moscow through economic means. Last week’s sanctions targeted major Russian oil companies like Lukoil and Rosneft. The move caused a spike in global oil prices and disrupted trade.
Some US senators are now pushing for a broader, bipartisan sanctions bill. A source familiar with the administration’s thinking said Trump is open to endorsing such a package.
The decision on whether to deploy the newly prepared sanctions will likely depend on Russia’s reaction to the recent measures and its willingness to engage in serious peace talks.
