WASHINGTON, Oct. 23, 2025 — The Trump administration has announced a new round of “massive sanctions” targeting Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in a bid to force Moscow to the negotiating table and bring an end to the war in Ukraine. The measures, unveiled this week by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, are designed to cut off key revenue streams funding the Kremlin’s military campaign CNBC CBS News.
Sanctions and Economic Pressure
The sanctions extend to dozens of subsidiaries and are already impacting global markets. Oil prices rose by nearly 3% following the announcement, while analysts noted that Russia’s domestic fuel costs are also climbing CNBC. The administration has urged allies in Europe and Asia to adopt similar measures, warning that without coordinated action, Russia will continue to finance its war machine.
Bessent stated:
“Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire. Given President Putin’s refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia’s two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin’s war machine.” CBS News
Shifting Dynamics in Russia
The sanctions come amid signs of growing discontent within Russia, where rising prices and mounting casualties have fueled public frustration. Western intelligence assessments suggest that opposition to the war is spreading beyond traditional urban centers, creating new political pressures for the Kremlin.
Diplomatic Overtures
While tightening sanctions, Trump has emphasized that his ultimate goal is a negotiated settlement. Following a recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin confirmed that Moscow remains “open to peaceful resolution,” though no breakthrough has yet been achieved TASS Russian News Agency.
Trump has framed the sanctions not as an escalation, but as leverage to compel dialogue:
“These actions are about peace. They are about making sure Russia understands that the only way forward is at the negotiating table.”
International Response
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed the tougher stance on Russian oil but continues to press for additional military support. European leaders, while supportive of sanctions, remain cautious about the potential impact on global energy markets.
Outlook
The administration’s strategy reflects a dual-track approach: economic isolation of Russia’s energy sector paired with diplomatic pressure for ceasefire talks. Whether this “peaceful way” succeeds will depend on Moscow’s willingness to negotiate and the ability of U.S. allies to sustain coordinated sanctions without destabilizing global energy supplies.
Summary: Trump’s plan to end the war in Ukraine hinges on crippling Russia’s oil revenues through sweeping sanctions while urging immediate negotiations. With Russian public discontent rising and allies weighing the economic fallout, the coming months will test whether this strategy can deliver the ceasefire Washington seeks.
References:
- CNBC – Trump admin sanctions Russian oil companies, presses for Ukraine ceasefire
- CBS News – Trump administration slaps sanctions on Russia’s two biggest oil companies
- TASS – Russia remains open to peaceful resolution of Ukrainian crisis
- WUSF/AP – Trump levies new sanctions on Russian oil giants in a push to end Ukraine war
