US Treasury calls Putin's envoy a propagandist lying about sanctions impact
Photo: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (Getty Images)
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in an interview with CBS News, said that Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev is a Russian propagandist who lies about the impact of sanctions.
During the conversation, the host noted that the US imposed sanctions this week on Russia's leading oil and gas companies. Dmitriev claimed they would have "absolutely no effect on Russia's economy."
"They will simply lead to higher prices at gas stations in the United States," he said.
Bessent was asked whether Putin’s envoy is wrong and when Russia would actually feel the impact of the new sanctions.
"Well, I think Russia is going to feel the pain immediately. I can tell you that we've already seen India has completely halted of Russian oil purchases. Many of the Chinese refineries have stopped," the US Treasury chief said.
He continued by calling Dmitriev a propagandist, adding that the Kremlin envoy has nothing else to say.
"Margaret, are you really going to publish what a Russian propagandist says? I mean, what else is he going to say? Oh, it's going to be terrible, and it's going to bring Putin to the table," Bessent asked.
Bessent also noted that Russia's wartime economic growth is virtually zero, and inflation exceeds 20%. He emphasized that US actions aim to bring Putin to the negotiating table, and that oil is what funds Russia’s war machine. He added that the US can significantly reduce Russia’s profits.
The host then clarified that when Bessent calls Dmitriev a propagandist, he means "we should not listen to anything he says." He replied by suggesting Dmitriev has nothing left to say except to lie about the impact of sanctions.
"Margaret, what's he going to say? ... If you go through and look at every Russian talking point, they seem to use the word: 'We have immunized the economy against this.' Well, they haven't immunized the economy. Their oil earnings are down 20% year over year. I would suspect that this could take them down another 20 or 30%," Bessent added.
Sanctions against Russia
On the night of October 23, the US announced sanctions against Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil. Dozens of subsidiaries were also targeted.
The US Treasury said the sanctions aim to pressure Russia to immediately agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Recently, Reuters reported that the US has prepared additional sanctions against Russia. These measures are designed in case Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin delays ending the war. For now, Washington is awaiting steps from Europe.
