Scott Bessent requires secondary tariffs on Russian oil importers to deliver President Vladimir Putin ‘to the desk’.
Printed On 7 Sep 2025
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has signalled that Washington is able to tighten sanctions on Russia and urged European allies to assist “collapse” the Russian financial system by pressuring nations that proceed to purchase Moscow’s oil.
Talking to NBC Information on Sunday, Bessent stated the battle has develop into “a race now between how lengthy can the Ukrainian navy maintain up, versus how lengthy can the Russian financial system maintain up”.
Really useful Tales
listing of three gadgetsfinish of listing
In line with Bessent, extra sanctions and secondary tariffs on nations importing Russian crude would push the Russian financial system “into whole collapse” and convey President Vladimir Putin “to the desk”.
“We’re ready to extend stress on Russia, however we want our European companions to comply with us,” stated Bessent.
The warning comes a month after the administration of US President Donald Trump slapped 50 p.c tariffs on India over its continued purchases of Russian oil, among the many steepest levies Washington has imposed on any nation.
Hours earlier than Bessent’s remarks, Russia carried out what Ukrainian officers described as its largest air assault for the reason that invasion started in 2022. The in a single day strikes killed at the very least 4 individuals and ignited a authorities constructing in Kyiv.
US Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg condemned the assault on Sunday, writing on X that Moscow “seems to be escalating with the most important assault of the battle, hitting workplaces of the UKR Cupboard in Kyiv.”
“The assault was not a sign that Russia desires to diplomatically finish this battle,” he added.
Trump additionally hinted on Sunday at a more durable stance, suggesting he was ready to escalate sanctions in opposition to Moscow or its oil patrons.
Requested on the White Home whether or not he was prepared to maneuver to “the second part” of sanctions, the US president replied, “Yeah, I’m,” however declined to supply particulars.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to extend stress on Russia, however has stopped wanting committing to particular measures, whilst he struggles to ship on guarantees to finish the battle shortly.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the prospect of penalties on states nonetheless doing enterprise with Moscow.
In an interview with ABC on Sunday, he stated: “I’m very grateful to all of the companions, however a few of them, I imply, they proceed [to] purchase oil and Russian fuel and this isn’t truthful… I feel the concept to place tariffs on the nations that proceed make offers with Russia, I feel that is the best thought.”
For months, Trump has been pushing to discover a diplomatic decision to the battle, to no avail.
Final week, he travelled to Alaska for his first assembly with Putin since beginning his second time period. Shortly afterwards, he hosted Zelenskyy and European leaders in Washington for discussions on ending the battle.
However optimism for peace has since pale, with Russia persisting in its bombardment of Ukrainian cities.
