Sanctions and U.S. Policy on Russia
During an appearance on Meet the Press, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent shared his views on European sanctions, stating, “If you try to do something 19 times, you’ve failed.” He emphasized that President Trump is committed to pursuing significant measures that European nations seem reluctant to adopt, citing a 25% tariff on India for purchasing Russian oil as an example.
On Monday, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced it would be removing eight individuals from its sanctions list.
Bessent commented, “They were funding a war against themselves,” pointing out that European countries continued to purchase crude oil from Indian refineries that evaded those tariffs.
Treasury Undersecretary John Hurley also mentioned that the administration would no longer impose sanctions merely for “political posturing.” In a statement to Breitbart News, he added that the Biden administration had enacted multiple sanctions that often lacked a clear strategic aim. He noted that, under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Bessent, the focus would shift to sanctions that are meaningful economically and advancing national security objectives.
“We will also keep lifting sanctions where it makes sense and is lawful after a thorough review,” Hurley explained. The central aim is to ensure that sanctions are effective, lawful, and align with Trump’s policies.
OFAC’s deletion of eight names from the sanctions list includes three entities and five individuals, among whom three have resigned from their positions and distanced themselves from Russian investor Alisher Burhanovich Usmanov.
In collaboration with the UK, the Biden administration had approved Usmanov, recognized as one of Russia’s wealthiest billionaires, along with his network.
A spokesperson for the Treasury Department noted that these removals do not indicate a shift in U.S. policy toward Russia. Rather, they are part of an ongoing review process. The spokesperson highlighted that while OFAC must have the authority to impose sanctions, it should also be prepared to lift them in compliance with federal law.
