US Slams Russia for ‘No Action’ on Peace Deal, Calls New Sanctions ‘Necessary Step’
White House says new sanctions reflect growing impatience with Moscow’s “lack of interest or action” on the Russia-Ukraine peace process.
U.S, Oct 24 : The United States has described its latest sanctions on major Russian oil companies as “appropriate and necessary,” citing frustration over the lack of progress toward a Russia-Ukraine peace agreement.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Thursday (local time) that President Donald Trump imposed the measures in response to Moscow’s unwillingness to take “meaningful steps” toward ending the conflict.
“The president has always maintained that he would implement sanctions on Russia when he felt it was appropriate and necessary. And yesterday was that day,” Leavitt told reporters during a press briefing. “He’s also been frustrated with President Putin and the lack of action from both sides to move toward peace.”
Leavitt noted that while a potential meeting between Trump and President Vladimir Putin is “not completely off the table,” Washington wants such a meeting to deliver tangible results.
“The president wants to see action, not just talk,” she said. “He’s extremely motivated by the success of his Middle East peace deal and wants this war to end. But he’s grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress.”
The sanctions, which target Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia’s two largest oil companies, are described as “hefty” by the White House. Leavitt added that several countries, including India and China, are already reducing oil imports from Russia at Washington’s urging.
“We’ve seen China scaling back purchases, and India has done the same at the president’s request. The president has also pushed European allies to cut down on Russian oil. It’s a full court press,” Leavitt said.
In Moscow, President Putin dismissed the sanctions as an “unfriendly move” that would not significantly affect Russia’s economy.
“No self respecting country ever does anything under pressure,” Putin said, accusing the US of using sanctions to exert political leverage. He also questioned the motives of “certain people in the US administration” who pushed for restrictions on Russian oil exports.
The sanctions mark another escalation in Washington’s efforts to pressure Moscow amid the stalled peace process, with both sides showing little movement toward ending the ongoing conflict.
