Post by : Badri Ariffin

In a major policy shift, the Trump administration has imposed sanctions on Russia’s biggest energy companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, accusing Moscow of refusing to pursue peace in Ukraine. The move, announced alongside fresh measures from the European Union, signals the toughest coordinated Western response in months aimed at forcing an immediate ceasefire.

The new sanctions mark the first time the second Trump administration has directly targeted Russia’s oil sector. Washington’s decision came after months of hesitation, with President Donald Trump previously opting for diplomacy over punishment. But officials said Moscow’s continued aggression left “no serious sign” of peace efforts.

Under the new restrictions, Rosneft and Lukoil will face sweeping limits on global transactions, with Rosneft also blacklisted by the EU. Brussels stopped short of penalizing Lukoil due to exemptions for Hungary and Slovakia, both still reliant on Russian crude.

The European Union, meanwhile, approved its 19th sanctions package since the war began in 2022. The measures include the bloc’s first-ever ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, taking effect from January 2027. The move gives countries such as Spain, France, and Belgium legal grounds to terminate long-term contracts with Moscow.

EU ambassadors also agreed to block 117 more ships from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” vessels accused of evading oil price caps. With the latest addition, a total of 558 ships are now banned from EU ports and services.

Beyond the energy sector, the package targets Russian banks, cryptocurrency firms, and companies in China and Hong Kong accused of helping Moscow sidestep earlier sanctions. It also introduces new travel controls for Russian diplomats, requiring prior notification before moving between EU countries — a first-of-its-kind rule aimed at curbing disinformation and interference.

The coordinated action followed a tense week of diplomacy. The White House confirmed that President Trump cancelled a planned meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Budapest, citing the Kremlin’s “unchanged” stance on the war.

The latest sanctions mark a turning point in Washington’s approach and a rare moment of unity between the US and Europe, both determined to increase pressure on Russia’s economy and push for a long-delayed ceasefire in Ukraine.

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