Pause in the imposition of targeted sanctions against Russian companies and banks that assist Moscow in circumventing restrictions has been ongoing for 17 months.
Конгрес США / © Associated Press
US Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Chris Coons have addressed Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, demanding an explanation for the prolonged absence of new sanctions against Russia.
This was reported by Reuters, citing an excerpt from the relevant letter.
Lawmakers highlighted that the hiatus in implementing specific sanctions against Russian entities and financial institutions aiding Moscow’s evasion of restrictions has now lasted for 17 months.
In their view, this policy raises questions, particularly given the lack of progress in negotiations to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, mediated by the United States.
The last significant package of American sanctions against Russia was introduced in October 2025. At that time, the US Treasury Department added oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil, along with 34 of their subsidiaries, to the sanctions list.
Washington explained the restrictions then by citing Moscow’s lack of “serious interest in the peace process.”
Warren and Coons believe this move did not initiate a systematic intensification of sanctions pressure. The senators also emphasize that Russia continues to seek ways to bypass existing restrictions.
In their letter, the lawmakers cited Bessent’s statements. In February, the Treasury Secretary attributed the pause in new sanctions to the Trump administration’s desire to first assess the prospects of the diplomatic process.
Bessent at the time indicated the administration’s wish “to see where the peace talks lead.”
Meanwhile, in May, Rubio acknowledged that there has been no significant progress in resolving the war, the senators noted.
They also pointed out that the negotiation process with Iran and Cuba did not prevent Washington from imposing new sanctions on these countries.
Therefore, the lawmakers demand that Rubio and Bessent explain by August 28 why the US administration has not resumed regular sanctions pressure on Russia.
Specifically, the senators want to understand why Washington is not using additional restrictions as leverage to increase pressure on Moscow, especially if negotiations have effectively reached an impasse. They believe this is necessary to achieve a “just peace” in Ukraine.
Previously, it was reported that the US Senate overwhelmingly supported a bill to impose extensive sanctions against Russia and Iran.
We previously informed that the European Union approved a new package of sanctions against Russia in response to recent massive attacks on Ukraine.
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