US Imposes Fresh Sanctions on Russia’s Oil Giants Rosneft and Lukoil
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced new sanctions on Wednesday against Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, criticizing Moscow’s refusal to end its senseless war as U.S.-led efforts to resolve the conflict faltered and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought additional foreign military assistance. The sanctions, which also target numerous subsidiaries, came after months of bipartisan pressure on President Donald Trump to implement stricter measures on Russia’s oil sector. “Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire,” Bessent stated, emphasizing that the Treasusanctry was prepared to take further action if necessary and urging allies to unite in enforcing the sanctions. His remarks were made while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was in Washington for discussions with Trump, as the alliance continues coordinating weapons deliveries to Ukraine, with many arms sourced from the United States by Canada and European nations.
The announcement followed a wave of Russian drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, resulting in at least six deaths, including a woman and her two young daughters, and injuring 29 people in Kyiv, which appeared to be the primary target. The assaults unfolded from Tuesday night into Wednesday, affecting at least eight cities and a village near the capital. A strike ignited a fire in a residential building where a mother and her daughters, aged six months and 12 years, lived. In Kharkiv, Russian drones hit a kindergarten while children were present, leaving one individual dead and six others injured, though no children were physically harmed, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov. Zelenskyy stated that many children were in shock and noted that the attacks targeted ten regions: Kyiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Poltava, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, Cherkasy, and Sumy. Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 405 strike and decoy drones along with 28 missiles, primarily aimed at Kyiv.
Trump’s efforts to conclude the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion over three years ago, have yet to gain momentum. He has repeatedly expressed frustration with Putin’s steadfast conditions for a settlement, even after Ukraine proposed a ceasefire and direct peace negotiations. Trump postponed a planned meeting with Putin, citing concerns that it might be futile, while European leaders accused Putin of stalling. Zelenskyy regarded Trump’s suggestion to halt the conflict at current front lines as a reasonable compromise to facilitate negotiations. Dmitry Peskov said the planned summit requires careful preparation, while Putin conducted drills of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces, seemingly as a public reminder of the country’s atomic arsenal. Zelenskyy urged the EU, the U.S., and the Group of Seven to pressure Moscow through sanctions, long-range missiles, and coordinated diplomacy, as further international sanctions are set for discussion at an EU summit in Brussels, with the Coalition of the Willing meeting scheduled in London. Zelenskyy attributed Trump’s comments about potential Tomahawk missile support as influencing Putin’s willingness to engage in talks, though Trump later expressed caution regarding the availability of U.S. stockpiles.
Military analysts report that Russia has not made substantial advances on the battlefield, where a war of attrition has heavily impacted Russian infantry, while Ukraine faces manpower shortages. Both sides have focused on developing long-range strike capabilities targeting rear areas. Ukraine reported targeting a chemical plant in Bryansk, a Saransk mechanical plant in Mordovia, and the Makhachkala oil refinery in Dagestan using British-made Storm Shadow missiles. Russian authorities confirmed attacks in the region but did not reference the plants. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that 33 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight, affecting areas near St. Petersburg and causing temporary airport closures. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy visited Oslo and Stockholm, signing an agreement with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to explore purchasing up to 150 Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets over the next decade, complementing American F-16s and French Mirages already delivered. Moscow’s overnight attacks on energy infrastructure caused rolling blackouts ahead of winter, with drone debris igniting fires in Kyiv apartment buildings. Emergency services rescued 10 individuals in Dnipro district and 15 people in Darnytskyi district, including two children, highlighting the ongoing human toll of the conflict.
