Bessent was asked how many entities from Russia the Ministry of Finance has imposed sanctions against since he took office as minister. It was noted to him that the previous leadership of the Ministry of Finance introduced new packages of sanctions every one or two months.
“I don't know, but I know that the President [США Дональд] Trump imposed sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil, and this was the main achievement of the sanctions. This overshadowed everything else and brought the Russians to the negotiating table, where I was last Saturday,” the American minister replied.
Asked if he could promise Congress that steps would be taken to impose sanctions against the Russian shadow fleet, Bessent said: “I will take that into account. We will see how the peace talks go.”
On February 4, Bloomberg, citing European officials, wrote that the Trump administration had prepared a new package of sanctions against the Russian Federation, but “there are no signs of their introduction.”
Context
On October 22, 2025, the US Treasury imposed sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil, explaining that the illegitimate Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to end the war in Ukraine. Trump said he hoped this would encourage Putin to negotiate. However, since then there has been no breakthrough in negotiations.
On January 8, 2026, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stated about Trump's support bill on new sanctions against the Russian Federation.
On February 5, Trump said that the Russian war against Ukraine “very close” to completion.
