Bloomberg reports: The US is Considering New Measures to Intensify Economic Pressure on Russia
According to international news agency Bloomberg, U.S. officials have developed several new scenarios to intensify economic pressure on the Russian Federation in response to the duration and scale of its military actions in Ukraine, and the lack of any clear signs that Moscow intends to change course. Sources within the U.S. administration claim that Washington is actively working on a range of options that could lead to even greater economic pressure on the Kremlin, but emphasize that no final decision has yet been made. Amid this information, it is worth noting that former U.S. President Donald Trump—who is not currently in office but may return to power in the future—has previously expressed his stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to sources, Trump is willing to support the tightening of sanctions and economic pressure on Moscow, especially if Moscow continues to delay seeking a diplomatic solution. However, sources emphasize that U.S. officials are currently exercising caution and describe preparatory measures more as potential scenarios rather than finalized plans. They add that decision-making regarding further steps has not yet been made and remains under the authority of the U.S. president, as diplomatic efforts are ongoing and there is no official approved program for escalating pressure at this time. It should be noted that this information comes ahead of important diplomatic events and possible new confrontational actions on the global political stage. Additionally, during recent statements and public appearances, American officials repeatedly raised the possibility of intensifying sanctions against Russia. For example, following Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the Vatican, former U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized recent Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities and expressed doubts about Moscow’s sincerity regarding ending the war. In his remarks, he threatened Putin with additional sanctions and indicated that the U.S. might take decisive measures to deter Russia. Earlier, on May 1, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden noted during a speech that there exists a fundamental “gulf” in understanding between Ukraine and Russia regarding the end of the war, and added that the administration is working to find mechanisms to “bridge these positions.” The U.S. Department of State recently announced plans to change its approach to conflict resolution by narrowing its activity toward seeking a peaceful settlement and refraining from an overly active role. However, they also emphasized that the U.S. does not exclude the possibility of intervening in the conflict and will maintain strategic interest in developments around the Ukrainian-Russian confrontation. Thus, the United States is currently engaged in discussions on further steps concerning sanctions and economic pressure, but no final decision has been made. At the same time, political and diplomatic circles are increasingly concerned about the potential for further escalation and its consequences for global security in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.