Who Did Washington Target in Its New Sanctions Against Moscow?

In its strongest action yet against Russia’s energy sector, the U.S. has blacklisted Rosneft and Lukoil, two companies that account for nearly half of Russia’s crude oil exports.

The new sanctions, announced by President Donald Trump and the U.S. Treasury Department, are designed to curb the Kremlin’s oil revenues, which Washington says are fueling the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Rosneft, led by Putin ally Igor Sechin, is responsible for about 6% of global oil output, while privately held Lukoil operates across dozens of countries.

The measures follow similar steps by the United Kingdom and mark a turning point in U.S. policy toward Moscow’s energy industry. Analysts say the sanctions could temporarily raise global oil prices as markets adjust, while pushing Russia’s main customers—China and India—to seek new suppliers or face secondary sanctions.

Trump has urged both nations to reduce their dependence on Russian crude.