Medvedev Dismisses Peace Talks Following New Sanctions

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev declared on Thursday that Russia should no longer pursue “pointless” peace talks with President Donald Trump. This statement came just after the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on two major Russian oil companies.

In a post on Telegram, Medvedev, who serves as the deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, asserted, “The United States is our enemy, and their talkative ‘peacemakers’ are now fully on course for war against Russia…”

He elaborated, saying, “People might argue that they had no other choice—that Congress pressured them, etc. But the fact remains: the decision reached was an act of war against Russia. Now, Trump is completely aligned with a reckless Europe.”

Recently, President Trump canceled a planned face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, stating that the timing “didn’t feel right.” Both leaders had met at a summit in Alaska in August, which had sparked hopes for a potential peace agreement regarding Ukraine and Russia.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has intensified its military actions, frequently targeting regions close to Ukraine and its energy infrastructure.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff have been attempting to negotiate a ceasefire for several months, but progress has been minimal.

“We want them to continue the course we’ve set and simply go home,” Trump expressed to the media on Wednesday.

In lieu of any substantial peace progress, sanctions were implemented against Russia’s two largest oil firms, Rosneft Oil Company and Lukoil OAO.

“Now is the time to halt the killing and call for an immediate ceasefire,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Wednesday.

Bessent also noted, “Given President Putin’s refusal to end this senseless war, the Treasury Department is targeting Russia’s largest oil companies that are financing the Kremlin’s military efforts.” He added, “The Treasury is prepared to take further action to support President Trump’s initiative to prevent additional conflicts. We urge our allies to comply with these sanctions.”

In response, Medvedev emphasized that the Kremlin’s focus would be on achieving “victory as much as possible,” stating, “Not from a desk in an office, but on the ground. Defeating the enemy, rather than making meaningless ‘deals’.”