Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday the Trump administration was poised to announce “a substantial pickup in Russia sanctions” amid stalled efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
“We are going to, either announce after the close this afternoon or first thing tomorrow morning, a substantial pickup in Russia sanctions,” Bessent told reporters at the White House.
NATO chief visits White House to talk Ukraine
Bessent did not provide details on what the sanctions would entail.
The announcement comes one day after the White House said there were no plans for President Trump to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the immediate future, dashing talk of a summit between the two men in Hungary in the coming weeks.
It also comes after Russia overnight Tuesday launched another round of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine, killing six people, including two children.
Russian forces invaded neighboring Ukraine in February 2022 after amassing troops near the border. Trump pledged during the 2024 campaign that he would end the war in Ukraine before he even took office. But he has acknowledged the conflict has been more difficult than expected to settle.
A Senate bill led by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to levy steep sanctions on Russia has dozens of sponsors, and lawmakers have said they are waiting for the go ahead from the White House to bring the bill up for a vote.
