The key facts

  • Bessent: 'sanctions were not lifted', only the diesel embargo was cancelled, a 60-day assessment period was given
  • Zelensky warned that Washington's rapprochement with Moscow would be a 'historic mistake', and reported a temporary halt in intelligence sharing
  • Bessent rejected the accusations, citing intelligence support, Starlink, and NATO purchases of weapons for Ukraine

Bessent denies lifting of sanctions

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday on NBC News that sanctions against Russia were not lifted on Friday, defending President Donald Trump's decision to suspend the introduction of new restrictive measures amid the war in Ukraine. According to him, the administration has been given a 60-day period to study the situation. 'The only thing that was lifted was the diesel embargo,' Bessent said, emphasizing that existing sanctions were not eased.

Defense of Trump's line

Bessent called Trump's policy tough toward Moscow, pointing to sanctions against Russia's two largest energy companies — Rosneft and Lukoil. 'President Trump imposed sanctions on the two largest Russian energy companies... which dealt a catastrophic blow to the Russian energy sector,' Anadolu quotes him as saying.

Zelensky's reaction and the intelligence dispute

Bessent's statements came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Washington switching to the side of Russian President Vladimir Putin would be a 'historic mistake,' expressing hope that Trump would reconsider his decisions. 'We want to trust him,' Zelensky told NBC earlier, noting that Ukraine could not withstand a situation in which Washington and Moscow united against Kyiv. He also reported a temporary halt in intelligence sharing with the US and restrictions on satellite communications critical for defense against Russian strikes. Bessent rejected these accusations, calling them 'very reckless' on Zelensky's part, and refuted the claim that Washington had sided with Moscow, citing intelligence support, access to Starlink, and arrangements allowing NATO members to purchase American weapons for Ukraine.

Criticism of Europe

Defending the administration's approach, Bessent criticized European countries for continuing to purchase Russian energy. 'The Europeans have given Russia and Vladimir Putin more money than they have given the Ukrainians,' he said.