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Trump Reportedly Set to Sanction Russia’s Shadow Fleet if Ceasefire Not Reached by August 8
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US President Donald Trump is aiming to impose sanctions on Russia's so called shadow fleet of oil tankers unless Moscow agrees to a ceasefire in Ukraine by August 8. The fleet, which has allowed Russia to bypass international price caps on its oil exports, primarily supplies China and India, Financial Times reported on August 5.
This potential action comes after escalating tensions between the US and Russia, with Trump becoming increasingly frustrated by Russian leader Vladimir Putin's refusal to engage in peace talks. Trump has also been vocal about his dissatisfaction with India's continued purchase of Russian oil, which he plans to target with significant tariff hikes.
The sanctions, which would target individual vessels in Russia’s fleet, aim to increase the pressure on Moscow by cutting off access to Western markets. Previous sanctions on Russian oil tankers, including 213 vessels, have already impacted the fleet's productivity, with the sanctioned ships seeing a drastic reduction in the amount of Russian crude they transport, according to Financial Times.
Trump's administration has also considered secondary sanctions on countries facilitating trade with Russia, further expanding the economic pressure. The introduction of secondary sanctions and the potential for steep tariffs on countries buying Russian energy products signals a shift toward more aggressive measures if Russia continues its refusal to negotiate.
As discussions with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continue, Trump has emphasized the need for Russia to understand that failing to cease hostilities will lead to serious economic repercussions. Trump's administration, with increasing bipartisan support, is preparing additional measures to reinforce this ultimatum, urging Putin to come to the negotiating table or face further isolation.
“We talked about sanctions against Russia,” said Zelenskyy in a phone call with Trump on August 5. “Their economy continues to fall and that is why Moscow is so attentive to this prospect... This can change a lot.”
In addition to sanctions on the shadow fleet, a bill supported by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal proposes tariffs as high as 500% on countries that continue purchasing Russian energy products, showing an intensified US commitment to curb Russia's war efforts financially.
Earlier, it was reported that the EU moved to cripple the Russian war machine with the 18th sanctions package targeting oil lifeline and shadow fleet. The European Union had adopted what officials are calling one of its strongest sanctions packages to date against Russia, as part of ongoing efforts to curtail Moscow’s war economy, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stated.
