President Trump forcefully denied reports that he had lifted restrictions on Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles inside Russia, calling the story “FAKE NEWS!” even as his administration unveiled major new sanctions against the Kremlin’s war effort.
On social media, Trump stated, “The U.S. has nothing to do with those missiles, wherever they may come from, or what Ukraine does with them.” This denial came just as the Treasury Department announced it was sanctioning Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia’s two largest oil companies.
The sanctions are the first of the new Trump administration and are aimed at cutting off the primary revenue stream for Russia’s military. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent issued a strong statement, calling for an “immediate ceasefire” and blaming “President Putin’s refusal to end this senseless war.”
The move against the two oil giants was welcomed by European allies. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed she had spoken with Bessent and praised the coordination. The EU is also set to adopt its 19th sanctions package, targeting Russian LNG and its “shadow fleet” of oil tankers.
The sanctions also follow President Trump’s cancellation of a planned summit with Vladimir Putin, another sign of a deepening rift. Trump said the meeting “didn’t feel right” and that negotiations were not progressing.