New US sanctions aim to cut Russia's oil revenue and war funding
Vladyslav Vlasiuk (photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine welcomed the US House of Representatives' passage of a bill aimed at increasing sanctions pressure on Russia. The new restrictions are expected to hit Moscow's revenues from energy exports, Ukrainian Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy Vladyslav Vlasiuk told reporters.
What Vlasiuk said
Vlasiuk noted that the bill was supported by 262 members of the US House of Representatives. He thanked everyone involved in advancing Senator Lindsey Graham's initiative and called the decision an important part of comprehensive pressure on Russia.
According to Vlasiuk, Moscow continues to receive significant revenues from oil sales, including from countries that continue to purchase Russian energy resources.
Main source of revenue
"Russia continues to receive significant revenues from oil sales, including through countries that continue to buy its energy resources. These revenues allow the Kremlin to finance the production of missiles and drones, purchase foreign components, and compensate for losses on the battlefield," Vlasiuk said.
He noted that the tariffs provided for in the bill for countries that purchase Russian energy resources could reduce Russia's revenues and make cooperation with Moscow more costly.
Vlasiuk also separately mentioned sanctions against Iran. According to him, Russia and Iran have long cooperated in the military-industrial sector, exchanged technologies, and used shared supply channels.
Iranian drones and components for Russian weapons, he added, are already being used in the war against Ukraine.
What is expected from the sanctions
"We expect the sanctions to make Russian energy exports more expensive, more difficult, and less profitable," Vlasiuk said.
He stressed that the restrictions do not mean an immediate end to the war, but should gradually reduce Russia's ability to maintain the current intensity of hostilities.
According to Vlasiuk, sanctions should be a tool that directly affects Russia's ability to finance the war rather than remain a symbolic punishment.
On September 17, the US House of Representatives gave final approval to a bill imposing sanctions on Russia and Iran, after which the document was sent to the US president for signature. The legislative initiative was introduced by the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
