The United States has enacted a robust new set of sanctions against Russia, which the White House describes as “pretty hefty” and intended to significantly impact Moscow’s economy. On Thursday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt commented on the measures, noting reports that China and India are reducing their purchases of Russian oil, suggesting the sanctions are already having an effect. She characterized the action as a “full court press” and anticipated that the sanctions would indeed cause economic damage. The sanctions, announced Wednesday, specifically target Russia’s two largest oil companies and are accompanied by a demand for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. Leavitt indicated that President Trump has the discretion to implement additional sanctions if necessary. Speaking to CNN, she explained that President Trump decided to proceed with the sanctions and withdraw from a scheduled meeting with President Putin due to what he perceived as a lack of genuine effort from Russia to advance peace. Leavitt reiterated that the President has always reserved the right to impose sanctions when he deemed them appropriate and necessary. She also noted President Trump’s consistent expression of dissatisfaction with the situation and President Putin, emphasizing the need for mutual interest in peace for successful negotiations. President Trump himself confirmed the cancellation of his meeting with Putin on Wednesday, stating it was postponed because the circumstances were not conducive to achieving the desired results, while leaving room for future engagement. Leavitt added that a future summit is not entirely out of the question but stressed the importance of ensuring a productive outcome that justifies the President’s commitment. While a recent call between Secretary Rubio and Foreign Minister Lavrov exposed differing perspectives, Leavitt clarified that this was not the sole determinant for cancelling the meeting, reiterating the President’s desire for a valuable diplomatic encounter. In parallel, the European Union has rolled out its 19th sanctions package against Russia, impacting critical sectors such as energy, finance, and the military, reinforcing the global financial pressure on Moscow.
