White House: New Russia Sanctions ‘Hefty’, Putin Meeting Called Off

Significant new sanctions have been levied against Russia, which the White House characterizes as “pretty hefty” and designed to apply substantial pressure on Moscow. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated on Thursday that these measures are expected to cause “harm,” noting that major oil importers such as China and India appear to be decreasing their Russian oil acquisitions. The sanctions, imposed Wednesday, target the two most prominent Russian oil corporations and are linked to a call for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Ukraine. Leavitt suggested that President Trump retains the option to implement further sanctions. She informed CNN that the decision to announce these sanctions and cancel the planned meeting with President Putin stemmed from a lack of discernible Russian commitment to peace talks. Leavitt elaborated that President Trump has consistently advocated for sanctions when appropriate and necessary, and Wednesday’s action fulfilled that criterion. She also conveyed the President’s ongoing frustration with the conflict and President Putin, stressing that both sides must demonstrate a genuine desire for peace to achieve a favorable resolution. President Trump commented on Wednesday that he had “cancelled” the meeting, citing a feeling that progress towards essential goals was unlikely, though he left the door open for future discussions. Leavitt affirmed that a future meeting remains a possibility, provided it can yield concrete positive outcomes and justify the President’s time. Regarding a prior call between Secretary Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov that highlighted divergent views, Leavitt clarified that it was not the sole factor in the meeting’s cancellation, underscoring the President’s focus on ensuring productive diplomatic engagement. The European Union has also joined the financial pressure campaign, announcing its 19th round of sanctions targeting Russia’s energy, finance, and military sectors.