US imposes stricter sanctions on Russian oil, gas

The United States imposed today the most severe and inclusive sanctions on the Russian oil and natural gas industry, according to reports by the White House and the American Treasury Department.

This decision aims to reduce Russia's revenues from oil and gas, which finance the war on Ukraine.

Friday's measures are The most important subsanctions so far against the Russian energy sector, which is also the largest source of income for the Kremlin war machine”A senior U.S. official said.

The Treasury Department imposed sanctions on two Russian companies Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, which explore, produce and sell oil, and 183 tankers carrying Russian oil, many of which are part of the so-called fleet in the shade, operated by non-Western companies. These include fuel - trading networks.

Many have been used to send oil to India and China.

Among the companies designated on the list of sanctions in the United States is Serbia's Oil Industry, listed on the list of entities that are the subcontacting Gazprom Neft in Serbia. This Russian company, along with the euro company Gazprom, currently own about 56 per cent of NIS shares.

Reasoning behind sanctions is “hits each part of the Russian production and distribution chain”, According to the American official. If these sanctions apply, it would cost Russia billions of dollars a month.

Among the designated entities are several senior directors of the Russian oil industry.

“There is no remaining part of the production and distribution chain that is intact, and we are convinced that their avoidance will cost Russia even more”Said the American official.

Sanctions are part of a broader effort, while President Biden's administration equipped Ukraine with about 64 billion dollars of military assistance since Russia's attack.

“We expect that direct impact on the energy sector will increase pressure on the Russian economy facing an inflation of nearly 10 percent and that provides a grim economic forecast for 2025 and in the future”According to an American administration official.

According to American officials, President Biden's advisers have informed Mr. Trump of sanctions. But, President Biden administration official said it would depend “ by Mr. Trump when and how he can abolish sanctions imposed during Mr. Biden's mandate.

Military assistance and sanctions “give the future administration and Ukraine a considerable instrument of influence to mediate a just and lasting peace”, American officials said. /voa