Ukraine and its European allies are breathing a sigh of relief after the United States announced new sanctions against Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, a move praised as a sign of unified “collective pressure” against Moscow.
The announcement marks a victory for Kyiv, which had watched with concern as the Trump administration previously appeared to be pushing for peace at Ukraine’s expense. Now, the administration is focusing its economic firepower on Putin’s war chest.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she had spoken with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and celebrated the new sanctions. She noted that with the EU’s own 19th sanctions package imminent, it sends a “clear signal from both sides of the Atlantic.”
The US sanctions, the first under the new Trump administration, were implemented due to what Bessent called “President Putin’s refusal to end this senseless war.” He called for an “immediate ceasefire” and warned that more penalties could follow.
This economic pressure was underscored by a diplomatic freeze, as President Trump confirmed the cancellation of a planned summit with Putin. This dual-pronged approach—cutting off money and dialogue—signals a new, tougher stance from Washington.