Trump says Putin talks 'don't go anywhere' as he imposes new sanctions

October 23, 2025

The US has announced new sanctions targeting Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, to pressure Moscow toward peace negotiations in Ukraine. President Trump, who previously avoided such measures in hopes of brokering a peace deal, has grown frustrated with Russia's unwillingness to engage in meaningful negotiations. The sanctions target companies that export 3.

Who is affected

Russia's two largest oil companies (Rosneft and Lukoil)
The Russian economy and its "war machine"
Ukraine and its ongoing defense against Russian aggression
Global oil markets and importers of Russian oil (China, India, and Turkey)
European nations still partially reliant on Russian energy

What action is being taken

The US is implementing sanctions against Russia's two largest oil companies
Trump is urging China, India, and Turkey to halt purchases of Russian oil
India is poised to sharply reduce Russian oil imports according to unnamed sources
Ukraine is targeting Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure
The EU is implementing a new sanctions package including a ban on Russian LNG imports by 2028

Why it matters

The sanctions target Russia's biggest export sector, with Rosneft responsible for nearly half of all Russian oil production
This represents a significant shift in Trump's foreign policy, who previously avoided sanctions
The measures align with UK sanctions announced last week against the same companies
The sanctions could potentially pressure Russia toward peace negotiations after 3.5 years of war
They signal coordinated transatlantic pressure on Russia despite Trump's previous reluctance

What's next

Trump has indicated he hopes the sanctions can be swiftly withdrawn if Russia agrees to stop the war
European allies and Kyiv have formulated a 12-point plan that would freeze current front lines, return deported children, and arrange prisoner exchanges
The plan includes a war recovery fund for Ukraine, security guarantees, and a clear EU membership pathway
A key sticking point remains Russia's refusal to cease fighting along current front lines
The Kremlin wants Ukrainian troops to leave parts of eastern Donbas that Kyiv still controls

Read full article from source: BBC