Trump's Treasury Pick Threatens Stricter Sanctions on Russia
Scott Bessent has pledged to implement stricter sanctions on Russia as a means to resolve the Ukraine conflict. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Scott Bessent, the nominee for treasury secretary under US President-elect Donald Trump, has expressed his support for increasing pressure on Moscow as a means to help resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Bessent's remarks come amid speculation about potential changes to US sanctions policy toward Russia, including the possibility of completely lifting the restrictions.
During his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, he criticized the Biden administration's approach to sanctions, claiming that the existing measures against Russia "were not fulsome enough." He noted that Biden officials delayed tightening sanctions on Russia’s oil industry, citing concerns that such actions would lead to rising US energy prices, which would be politically unpopular.
If confirmed, Bessent promised to advocate for tougher sanctions against Russia at Trump's request, emphasizing that he would support elevating sanctions to compel Russia to engage in negotiations regarding the Ukraine conflict. “If any officials in the Russian Federation are watching this confirmation hearing, they should know that if I’m confirmed, and if President Trump requests it as part of his strategy to end the Ukraine war, I will be 100% on board for taking sanctions up — especially on the Russian oil majors — to levels that would bring the Russian Federation to the table,” he stated.
Earlier this month, the Biden administration enacted its most extensive sanctions to date on Russia's energy sector, targeting key oil producers like Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, along with 183 vessels involved in oil transport. These actions resulted in a noticeable increase in oil prices due to concerns over potential disruptions to global supply chains.
Russia has dismissed Western sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict as “illegal,” with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticizing the measures against the oil industry for destabilizing worldwide markets.
As Trump’s team prepares to assume office, they are reportedly crafting a nuanced sanctions strategy related to the Ukraine conflict. Sources from Bloomberg suggest that one possible approach could involve easing sanctions on Russia to promote peace talks, while an alternative strategy may focus on ramping up sanctions to enhance US leverage in negotiations.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
Bessent's remarks come amid speculation about potential changes to US sanctions policy toward Russia, including the possibility of completely lifting the restrictions.
During his Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday, he criticized the Biden administration's approach to sanctions, claiming that the existing measures against Russia "were not fulsome enough." He noted that Biden officials delayed tightening sanctions on Russia’s oil industry, citing concerns that such actions would lead to rising US energy prices, which would be politically unpopular.
If confirmed, Bessent promised to advocate for tougher sanctions against Russia at Trump's request, emphasizing that he would support elevating sanctions to compel Russia to engage in negotiations regarding the Ukraine conflict. “If any officials in the Russian Federation are watching this confirmation hearing, they should know that if I’m confirmed, and if President Trump requests it as part of his strategy to end the Ukraine war, I will be 100% on board for taking sanctions up — especially on the Russian oil majors — to levels that would bring the Russian Federation to the table,” he stated.
Earlier this month, the Biden administration enacted its most extensive sanctions to date on Russia's energy sector, targeting key oil producers like Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, along with 183 vessels involved in oil transport. These actions resulted in a noticeable increase in oil prices due to concerns over potential disruptions to global supply chains.
Russia has dismissed Western sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict as “illegal,” with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov criticizing the measures against the oil industry for destabilizing worldwide markets.
As Trump’s team prepares to assume office, they are reportedly crafting a nuanced sanctions strategy related to the Ukraine conflict. Sources from Bloomberg suggest that one possible approach could involve easing sanctions on Russia to promote peace talks, while an alternative strategy may focus on ramping up sanctions to enhance US leverage in negotiations.
Ian Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
