Trump preparing sanctions against shadow fleet if Putin refuses to agree to truce - FT
Photo: Donald Trump, US president (Getty Images)
The US government is considering imposing sanctions against the shadow fleet. This scenario is being prepared in case Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to agree to a truce with Ukraine, according to the Financial Times.
According to two sources cited by the Financial Times, additional US sanctions against the shadow fleet are being considered as a straightforward first step to increase pressure on Russia. Another source, close to Donald Trump's administration, confirmed that this option is under discussion.
Adding new vessels from Russia’s shadow fleet to the sanctions list would mark the first instance of US sanctions against Moscow since Trump returned to the White House in January.
Kevin Book, managing director at the analytical firm ClearView Energy Partners, believes such sanctions could reinforce recent EU restrictions targeting the shadow fleet. Last month, the bloc sanctioned over 100 vessels, bringing the total to 415.
Another unnamed FT source said Trump may decide on sanctions against Russia after his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, returns from Moscow.
The Joe Biden administration had previously added 213 tankers carrying Russian crude oil, chemicals, or petroleum products to its sanctions lists.
Trump’s ultimatum
Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that if Russia does not agree to a truce with Ukraine by August 8, he will impose secondary sanctions and secondary tariffs against Moscow.
On Wednesday, July 6, US President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Moscow. At the same time, another US special envoy, Keith Kellogg, may arrive in Kyiv.
Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko, commenting to RBC-Ukraine’s YouTube channel, suggested that the US might be trying to pressure Russia into a truce with Ukraine, although a ceasefire still seems unlikely.
