Reference News Network, October 23 report. According to the Singapore "Lianhe Zaobao", October 23 report, US President Trump's growing dissatisfaction with Russian President Putin over the Ukraine war has led to the first sanctions against Russia related to Ukraine on the 22nd, targeting two major Russian oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft.
US Treasury Secretary Beyen said that Trump believes Putin is "dishonest and not candid" in the negotiations on the Ukraine issue, so he imposed significant sanctions on the two largest Russian oil companies.
Beyen stated on October 22 in a statement: "Given that President Putin refuses to end this meaningless war, the Treasury will impose sanctions on the two largest Russian oil companies that fund the Kremlin's war machine. We encourage our allies to join us and comply with these sanctions."
Beyen warned that the US Treasury is prepared to "take further action when necessary" to support Trump's efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Reuters reported that this sanction is a major policy shift by Trump. Before this, Trump did not impose sanctions on Russia due to the Russia-Ukraine war, but relied on trade measures. In retaliation for India purchasing Russian oil at discounted prices, Trump imposed tariffs of up to 25% on Indian goods.
Trump told reporters in the White House Oval Office on the 22nd that he canceled the scheduled summit with Putin in Hungary because he felt the timing was not right.
Trump also said that he hopes the sanctions against Russian oil companies need not be implemented for a long time. Trump said last year that he tends to quickly lift the sanctions, as these measures may threaten the dominant position of the dollar in global oil transactions. Russia often requires payment in other currencies.
The Russian embassy in Washington and the Russian delegation to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to requests for comments on the sanctions.
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