US Treasury criticizes Biden’s Russia sanctions as ‘egregiously weak’
The Treasury Department states that the sanctions imposed by the previous administration on Russian energy were driven by political motives. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Trump administration is prepared to enhance restrictions aimed at achieving a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict, according to Secretary Scott Bessent.
Washington is ready to impose tighter sanctions on Russia, which the US Treasury Department describes as “egregiously weak,” if it will foster a peace agreement in the ongoing Ukraine situation. These sanctions were initially enacted in 2014 following Crimea's reunification with Moscow and have since expanded through various executive orders. Recently, they were extended until March 2026, although Russia regards them as illegal and has consistently called for their repeal.
During an address at the Economic Club of New York on Thursday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the US would no longer implement “lackadaisical” restrictions that facilitate circumvention. He took the Biden administration to task for hesitating to introduce stricter energy sanctions due to concerns about rising gas prices, challenging the logic behind providing “substantial US military and financial support over the past three years” without enforcing equivalent restrictions.
Bessent argued that insufficient sanctions have enabled Moscow to continue funding its military activities and asserted that Biden’s late restrictions on Russian energy in January appeared to be politically driven.
“This administration [of President Donald Trump] has kept the enhanced sanctions in place and will not hesitate to go ‘all in’ should it provide leverage in peace negotiations,” Bessent remarked. In February, Trump enacted an executive order extending certain sanctions for another year and hinted that they might be lifted “at some point” during peace discussions.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently indicated that Western nations might need to reassess sanctions to secure an “enduring, sustainable” resolution to the Ukraine conflict. Following high-level US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, he suggested that concessions from all parties, including sanctions relief, would be essential.
Reports from Reuters on Monday noted that Washington is formulating a plan to offer Russia sanctions relief contingent upon specific conditions.
Since taking office, Trump has advocated for a negotiated settlement, urging Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to agree to a ceasefire. The two have had disagreements over terms, with Zelensky demanding that Washington first provide security guarantees to Kiev.
After Zelensky’s recent visit to Washington, which did not go as planned, Trump accused him of obstructing a peace deal and using US support for political advantage, claiming he was “gambling with World War III.” This week, Washington temporarily halted military aid and some intelligence-sharing with Ukraine.
Moscow has expressed its willingness to negotiate, although it has criticized Zelensky’s 2022 decree that prohibits talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin has asserted that it aims for a sustainable peace, warning that a temporary ceasefire would merely afford Ukraine the opportunity to rearm.
Putin commented on Thursday that Moscow is seeking a peace settlement that aligns with its interests and ensures long-term security. “We don’t need anything that belongs to others, but we won’t give up what’s ours,” he asserted.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
Washington is ready to impose tighter sanctions on Russia, which the US Treasury Department describes as “egregiously weak,” if it will foster a peace agreement in the ongoing Ukraine situation. These sanctions were initially enacted in 2014 following Crimea's reunification with Moscow and have since expanded through various executive orders. Recently, they were extended until March 2026, although Russia regards them as illegal and has consistently called for their repeal.
During an address at the Economic Club of New York on Thursday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the US would no longer implement “lackadaisical” restrictions that facilitate circumvention. He took the Biden administration to task for hesitating to introduce stricter energy sanctions due to concerns about rising gas prices, challenging the logic behind providing “substantial US military and financial support over the past three years” without enforcing equivalent restrictions.
Bessent argued that insufficient sanctions have enabled Moscow to continue funding its military activities and asserted that Biden’s late restrictions on Russian energy in January appeared to be politically driven.
“This administration [of President Donald Trump] has kept the enhanced sanctions in place and will not hesitate to go ‘all in’ should it provide leverage in peace negotiations,” Bessent remarked. In February, Trump enacted an executive order extending certain sanctions for another year and hinted that they might be lifted “at some point” during peace discussions.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently indicated that Western nations might need to reassess sanctions to secure an “enduring, sustainable” resolution to the Ukraine conflict. Following high-level US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, he suggested that concessions from all parties, including sanctions relief, would be essential.
Reports from Reuters on Monday noted that Washington is formulating a plan to offer Russia sanctions relief contingent upon specific conditions.
Since taking office, Trump has advocated for a negotiated settlement, urging Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to agree to a ceasefire. The two have had disagreements over terms, with Zelensky demanding that Washington first provide security guarantees to Kiev.
After Zelensky’s recent visit to Washington, which did not go as planned, Trump accused him of obstructing a peace deal and using US support for political advantage, claiming he was “gambling with World War III.” This week, Washington temporarily halted military aid and some intelligence-sharing with Ukraine.
Moscow has expressed its willingness to negotiate, although it has criticized Zelensky’s 2022 decree that prohibits talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Kremlin has asserted that it aims for a sustainable peace, warning that a temporary ceasefire would merely afford Ukraine the opportunity to rearm.
Putin commented on Thursday that Moscow is seeking a peace settlement that aligns with its interests and ensures long-term security. “We don’t need anything that belongs to others, but we won’t give up what’s ours,” he asserted.
Max Fischer contributed to this report for TROIB News
