Pressure on Energy and the “Shadow Fleet”
The United States is considering a new round of sanctions against Russia if Vladimir Putin rejects a peace agreement with Ukraine. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the measures would primarily target the energy sector, a key source of revenue for Moscow.
In the view of Bloomberg, officials in Washington believe that increasing pressure on Russia’s oil flows remains the most effective lever to influence the Kremlin’s calculations.
Among the options under consideration are sanctions against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of tankers used to transport oil in circumvention of existing restrictions, as well as against traders and intermediaries facilitating such operations. Sources say the new package could be announced as early as the coming days.
Final Decision Rests With President Donald Trump
As the sources stress, the final decision will be made by President Donald Trump. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has already discussed potential measures with European diplomats, noting after the meeting that the Trump administration remains focused on ending the war through diplomacy.
At the same time, US officials acknowledge that sanctions imposed since 2022 have not altered Moscow’s strategic objectives, even though they have significantly reduced Russia’s oil revenues and increased strain on its economy.
Peace Talks and Outstanding Disputes
The sanctions discussions are taking place alongside cautious progress in peace negotiations. This week, US special envoy Steve Witkoff held consultations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and European leaders. The parties reported progress on postwar security guarantees for Kyiv.
However, major disagreements remain, including the status of eastern Ukrainian territories, the fate of frozen Russian assets, and control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Kyiv is seeking clear, binding commitments from its allies, while Moscow continues to insist on its territorial demands.
Waiting for the Kremlin’s Response
Russian officials say they are open to an agreement but stress that their conditions remain unchanged. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov this week again ruled out the deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine and reaffirmed Moscow’s long-standing demands.
Against this backdrop, attention in Washington is increasingly focused on Vladimir Putin’s response. US officials believe his stance will determine whether sanctions pressure is further intensified or whether diplomacy is given more time to advance.
This article was prepared based on materials published by Bloomberg. The author does not claim authorship of the original text but presents their interpretation of the content for informational purposes.
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