US officials have finalized new economic sanctions against Russia, targeting the banking and energy sectors, in an effort to intensify pressure on Moscow to accept Trump's plan to end the war in Ukraine.
This is confirmed by three sources with knowledge of the matter, for the Reuters news agency. As it is said, among the possible targets include the Russian oil giant, Gazprom, and major entities involved in the natural resources and banking sectors. However, it is not clear whether the sanctions package will be approved by Trump, who after initial statements of goodwill towards Russia, seems frustrated by the rejection that Putin is making of the peace plan.
Trump's possible approval of new sanctions, which would follow the signing of the US-Ukraine minerals agreement, would mean a toughening of the stance towards the Kremlin. Kurt Volker, who was Trump's special representative for negotiations with Ukraine during his first term, said that Trump has given Putin every opportunity for peace if he continues to reject it. The next phase, according to him, will be to increase pressure on Moscow.
Earlier, the State Department said that the US would no longer mediate between Russia and Ukraine, and that the parties should only find ways to end the war in Ukraine. (A2 Televizion)
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