The axe of American sanctions is falling on Russia: Donald Trump 's administration has announced measures against Moscow's energy giants Rosneft and Lukoil, pointing the finger at "Vladimir Putin's refusal to end a senseless war."

After months of hesitation, rumors, and leaks, the tycoon said "the time was right" to respond to the demands of Kiev and its Western allies with a sanctions package "among the most severe we have ever imposed on Russia," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified. In announcing the decision, he accused the tsar of not being "honest and forthright" with Trump. He also called on the wealthy G7 nations and other allies to join the US, while the EU's approval of the 19th package of sanctions against Moscow is expected on Thursday, after Slovakia decided to withdraw its veto, unblocking the approval process.

The sanctions announcement comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky clearly expressed his alignment with the tycoon on the idea of freezing the war on the current front lines. Less than a year ago, this position was absolutely "unacceptable" for the Ukrainian president. And it further distances him from an agreement with Vladimir Putin, who is determined not to compromise on his war objectives.

So much so that, according to the Wall Street Journal, the tsar's inflexibility prompted the United States to authorize Kiev to launch strikes with several long-range missiles, including British Storm Shadows, to strike deep into Russia . However , the American president denied this "fake news" that evening, saying Washington "has nothing to do with those missiles or what Ukraine is doing with them."

(Unioneonline)