US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that Washington has all options on the table as the trump administration weighs new sanctions on Russia due to its continued bombing of Ukrainian cities.
Bessent, however, did not mention the recent attacks that were carried out by the Ukrainian forces on Russian cities in the past two months. When asked about potential and punitive measures the US was considering against Russia, he said, “We are looking into the matter, and measures will be made public only after consultations with President Trump.”
“Russian President Vladimir Putin, since the last historic meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, last month, has backtracked on the claims in which he promised to end the war in Ukraine at the earliest. Though the actions on the ground are opposite to the claims, since both sides have carried out drone and missile attacks to take control of the territory at the expense of innocent civilians,” Bessent said. As a matter of fact, he has, in a despicable, despicable manner, increased the bombing campaign,” Bessent added.
“So I believe with President Trump, all options remain on the table and under consideration, and I think we will be examining those very closely this week,” he said.
Also Read: Trump aide slams India’s oil buys, calls SCO meet ‘performative’
After the meeting between Trump and Putin on August 15, Trump wanted to know within two weeks if progress on settling the Ukraine crisis could be made, while also hinting at possible sanctions against Moscow. He warned that failure to reach a consensus on progress could invoke “massive sanctions and tariffs on Moscow”.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in an interview, had said, President Trump has the option to impose new sanctions; doing so would mean the “end of the talks.”
Though Russia and its president have remained undeterred by the threats of Washington, not only have Russian armed forces pushed Ukrainian forces from the battle lines, but they have also captured around 7 new villages in the eastern part of the country.
Experts have said the power show that Donald Trump tried as a tactic to coerce the Russian president was one of the mistakes, as such moves have only pissed off Putin, who envisions recreating the glory of the Soviet Union.
Also Read: Xi and Putin discuss bilateral relations in Beijing
Follow us
