Washington is preparing new economic sanctions against Russia, indicating heightened tensions between the United States and the Kremlin
According to Reuters, U.S. officials have completed developing potential restrictive measures aimed at key sectors of the Russian economy and major state companies. Sources close to the administration report that the current actions will focus on the energy giant Gazprom, as well as leading companies in the fields of natural resources and finance. The publication notes that the details of these sanctions remain vague for now, assuring that the official position regarding their implementation has not yet been finalized. According to sources, the decision to approve them depends on President Donald Trump, whose political stance towards Moscow remains ambiguous at present. Officially, the administration emphasizes that any step will be coordinated with the president and conditioned by the context of international events. In particular, reports highlight that the development of new sanctions is taking place amid growing discontent within U.S. policy circles regarding Russia. Reuters sources indicate that the Trump administration does not hide its intention to increase pressure on Russia in response to its actions, including Moscow's ignoring calls for a ceasefire and the start of peace negotiations in Ukraine. This suggests the possibility of further restrictive measures, which could lead to even more significant economic consequences for Russia. It is important to note that the decision to impose such sanctions entirely depends on President Trump, who has previously expressed both sympathies and frustrations regarding Moscow’s policies. A high-ranking official from the U.S. administration confirmed that all steps in this direction must be signed off by the president himself, and according to him, "this is entirely his decision." James Huitt, a National Security Council spokesperson, added that the administration is focused on achieving goals related to ending Russia’s aggression; however, details of current diplomatic negotiations remain confidential. The U.S. Department of the Treasury, responsible for implementing most of the sanctions, currently refrains from commenting, providing no additional information on future steps. At the same time, Reuters notes that the approval of any new sanctions could serve as an important signal from the White House ahead of signing a deal between the U.S. and Ukraine on mineral extraction, scheduled for Wednesday. Experts assess that such a move would not only demonstrate Washington’s firm stance towards the Kremlin but could also be part of a broader diplomatic strategy. Overall, tensions between the U.S. and Russia continue to escalate, affecting prospects for peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. Media reports indicate that recently the Trump administration has increased efforts to seek compromise solutions. According to sources, Washington has prepared a “final proposal” for a peaceful settlement, which includes, among other things, recognizing Russia’s control over the annexed Ukrainian Crimea and easing some restrictive measures. Specifically, Reuters has obtained the texts of documents and proposals submitted to Ukrainian and European officials during negotiations in London. These documents mention possible compromises that could alter the current trajectory of the conflict but remain subject to lengthy discussions and diplomatic agreements. It is evident that upcoming U.S. decisions on this matter will significantly influence the regional situation as well as the future of international stability and security. Simultaneously, negotiations and consultations are ongoing, demonstrating the high complexity and multifaceted nature of the diplomatic processes actively currently underway.