WASHINGTON( The COW News Digital) The United States has announced one of its most sweeping rounds of sanctions against Russia, with President Donald Trump accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of failing to act “honestly and forthrightly” in recent peace talks over Ukraine.
The move, unveiled Wednesday by US Treasury Chief Scott Bessent, follows the abrupt cancellation of a planned Trump-Putin summit in Budapest. According to Bessent, the US president was “deeply disappointed” by Moscow’s unwillingness to advance a ceasefire agreement.
“We are announcing one of the largest sanctions packages ever imposed on the Russian Federation,” Bessent told reporters at the White House. “President Trump has run out of patience after months of unfulfilled promises from Moscow.”
While the specific targets of the new sanctions have not yet been disclosed, officials confirmed that they will strike at key sectors of the Russian economy. “We’ll reveal the details after formal notification,” Bessent added, declining to specify whether the measures would affect energy exports or financial institutions.
The announcement comes just six days after Trump’s last phone call with Putin, which the White House initially described as “constructive.” However, sources say the president grew increasingly frustrated when no tangible progress followed.
“When they met in Alaska in August, President Trump walked away after realizing things weren’t moving forward,” Bessent said. “Behind-the-scenes talks continued, but it’s clear that the Kremlin isn’t serious about peace.”
The European Union also confirmed parallel sanctions on Russia, including a ban on importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) by 2027, the blacklisting of several oil tankers linked to Moscow, and travel restrictions on Russian diplomats.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has faced growing pressure from Congress and NATO allies to respond more forcefully to Russian aggression. He had previously resisted imposing new sanctions, holding out hope for a ceasefire deal.
Trump’s administration has alternated between conciliation and confrontation — urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to consider territorial concessions while simultaneously threatening Moscow with punitive measures.
On Tuesday, Trump ruled out meeting Putin “for the time being,” stating that he did not want to have a “wasted meeting.” The cancellation effectively ends immediate prospects for direct diplomacy between Washington and Moscow, signaling a new phase of escalating tension in the conflict.
