Russia sanction options: Trump picks mid-level oil strategy

In the Oval Office, Trump evaluates three Russia sanction options and chooses a calibrated oil response

Russia sanction options were at the centre of a high-stakes Oval Office meeting on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump weighed three distinct strategies to pressure Vladimir Putin. According to Wall Street Journal sources, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth backed Trump’s approach. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent was then instructed to finalise the chosen sanctions package.

Three Russia sanction options on the table

The President was presented with three Russia sanction options:

• A hardline plan targeting both the energy sector and Kremlin leadership
• A moderate plan focused on oil giants like Lukoil and Rosneft
• A light plan with minimal economic impact

Trump opted for the middle ground. The moderate package hits key players in Russia’s oil industry without triggering immediate escalation. It’s a strategic move designed to apply pressure while maintaining diplomatic flexibility.

Why Trump chose the mid-level Russia sanction option

The selected Russia sanction option reflects Trump’s broader foreign policy style: tactical pressure over direct confrontation. Sanctions, in his view, are leverage tools—akin to tariffs—used to shift negotiations. By targeting Lukoil and Rosneft, the administration aims to weaken Moscow’s financial base and push for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

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