U.S. May Take Retaliatory Actions Against Russia, According to Reuters' Report
In the bustling landscape of international politics, the United States has taken a step towards ratcheting up the pressure on Russia over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Three US officials and a well-informed source, as reported by Reuters, revealed that the US National Security Council is considering a slew of punitive measures against Moscow.
The proposed measures are likely to strike at the heart of Russia's banking and economic sectors, with state-owned entities like Gazprom and major companies linked to natural resources and the banking sphere potentially in the crosshairs.
However, it's crucial to note that the rubber hasn't met the road yet; the decision to proceed with these sanctions is in President Donald Trump's hands, and his stance on the issue remains a mystery.
RBC Group, while refusing to comment on the specifics of the negotiations, affirmed the Trump administration's commitment to achieving a full and comprehensive ceasefire. Meanwhile, the US Treasury remained tight-lipped on the matter, with no response to requests for comment.
In a previous turn of events, sources from Bloomberg and Politico hinted at the possibility of increased US pressure on Russia, without disclosing specific details. They also emphasized that Trump's decision is up in the air as of yet.
On the legislative front, Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican, announced that 72 lawmakers are in support of a bill imposing new sanctions on Russia if it declines negotiations with Ukraine. The bill includes potential tariffs of 500% on imports from countries buying Russian oil, gas, and other products, a move that would reportedly deal a devastating blow to the Russian economy.
Simultaneously, a State Department spokesperson, Tammy Bruce, confirmed that there's no easing of existing restrictions against Russia, and the possibility of new sanctions persists. She also made it clear that the US will no longer serve as a mediator in negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, advising the parties to engage in direct talks.
However, in an apparently contradictory statement, Bruce denied the next day that the US was withdrawing from the negotiating process. She asserted that, should there be a lack of significant progress, the US might tweak its stance slightly, but it certainly isn't a retreat from the process.
The possibility of direct talks between Ukraine and Russia was broached during a meeting between President Putin and US special envoy Steve Berman on April 25. The Kremlin expressed readiness for such talks the following day.
Despite the looming threat of sanctions, Moscow views the restrictions as illegal and is demanding their cancellation. The dance of diplomacy and pressure continues, with the eyes of the world upon it.
- The proposed sanctions against Russia, if implemented, could target state-owned entities like Gazprom and major companies linked to natural resources and the banking sector, citing the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
- In response to potential sanctions, the RBC Group has affirmed the Trump administration's commitment to achieving a full and comprehensive ceasefire, though it did not comment on the specifics of the negotiations.
- Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican, has announced that 72 lawmakers are in support of a bill imposing new sanctions on Russia, which includes potential tariffs of 500% on imports from countries buying Russian oil, gas, and other products, if Russia declines negotiations with Ukraine.
- While the US National Security Council is considering a slew of punitive measures against Moscow, Hewitt, a source from Reuters, stresses that the decision to proceed with these sanctions remains a mystery, as it is in President Donald Trump's hands.
