The United States is preparing additional sanctions targeting Russia's war funding. With the negotiations to end the war in Ukraine at a standstill, there is speculation about the possibility of specifying 'secondary tariffs' targeting countries importing Russian energy in cooperation with the European Union (EU).
Russian President Vladimir Putin's passive attitude toward peace negotiations and his display of anti-U.S. solidarity with China and North Korea are pointed out as background for the United States to strengthen its response. Recently, Russia intensified its offensive by launching large-scale airstrikes on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, directly hitting government buildings.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will hold a meeting with an EU delegation in Washington on the 8th (local time) to discuss additional sanctions against Russia. The delegation is expected to be led by David O'Sullivan, the EU sanctions envoy, and attention is focused on whether a high-intensity sanctions plan will be formulated.
President Trump said on the 7th, before attending the U.S. Open final in New York, that he is "ready to implement the second phase of sanctions against Russia." EU Commission Chairperson Ursula von der Leyen also discussed with President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Minister Bessent in a recent call.
The additional sanctions may include not only blocking the export of Russian oil and gas but also imposing tariffs on importing countries. Last month, the U.S. implemented stage 1 of the 'secondary sanctions' by adding an additional 25% tariff to the existing 25% tariff on Russian oil imports from India, totaling a 50% tariff.
China is the largest importer of Russian energy, but it is uncertain whether the U.S. will immediately enact secondary tariffs targeting China. Diplomats believe that the U.S. may seek to enhance pressure on China and India through Europe rather than directly utilizing sanctions.
Minister Bessent stated in an NBC interview that "we are prepared to intensify pressure on Russia," adding that "Europe wants to coordinate with us." He predicted that if tariffs were imposed on countries buying Russian oil, the Russian economy would collapse, and President Putin would have no choice but to come to the negotiation table.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized in an interview with U.S. ABC News that "the way to stop the killings is to take weapons away from Putin," noting that "energy is his weapon." He stated that "all forms of energy transactions with Russia must be halted" and expressed hope that President Trump would exert such pressure.