US ready to take ‘strong’ action on Russia, says Treasury chief
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Foreign diplomats visiting the site of a Russian strike on Ukraine’s main government building in Kyiv on Sept 8.
PHOTO: EPA
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- US is ready to act "strongly" against Russia over Ukraine, says Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
- Bessent stressed EU cooperation is crucial for successful measures against Russia; "all options remain on the table".
- EU officials met US counterparts to discuss increased coordination on sanctions; new EU sanctions may target Lukoil.
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WASHINGTON – The US is willing to take firm action on Russia over Ukraine, but Europe’s full cooperation is crucial, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said after talks with the European Union sanctions envoy on Sept 8.
Mr Bessent’s comments came as US officials and their EU counterparts were holding meetings on Sept 8 and Sept 9 – according to an EU official – on stepping up coordination involving sanctions targeting Moscow.
The EU sanctions envoy, Mr David O’Sullivan, who has spearheaded the bloc’s global outreach on preventing Moscow’s evasion of sanctions, is leading its delegation in Washington.
Mr Bessent wrote in a post on X after the Sept 8 meeting that “all options remain on the table” as part of US President Donald Trump’s strategy to support peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv.
“Business as usual has not worked,” Mr Bessent added. “We are willing to take strong measures against Russia, but our European partners must fully join us in this to be successful.”
He also emphasised that the US and EU are aligned on the importance of ending the war in Ukraine.
A source familiar with the discussions told AFP that the Sept 8 meeting lasted less than two hours and covered potential economic sanctions and tariff actions.
US officials present included those from the Treasury Department, White House, State Department and US Trade Representative’s office, the source added on condition of anonymity.
Mr Bessent was joined by Treasury Undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence John Hurley.
Mr Trump threatened on Sept 7 to impose more sanctions its biggest-ever aerial barrage on Ukraine.
He has threatened to penalise countries that buy Russian oil, seeking to cut off a key revenue source for Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s war. But so far, he has hit only India
The EU, meanwhile, is preparing a fresh round of sanctions on Russia, marking its 19th since Moscow’s invasion in 2022.
It has said that this should include more secondary sanctions targeting countries that help Moscow avoid punishment.
Germany and France are pushing to target Russian oil giant Lukoil as part of the new round of EU sanctions, diplomats said on Sept 8. AFP
