The United States has announced new sanctions targeting two of Russia's largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in an effort to pressure the Kremlin to cease its military actions in Ukraine. This move comes as the conflict continues to escalate, with Russian President Vladimir Putin labeling the sanctions an "unfriendly act" that he claims will have minimal impact on Russia's economy.

The sanctions were unveiled shortly after a failed summit between US President Donald Trump and President Putin. The US Treasury Department stated that these actions aim to weaken Russia's energy sector and reduce its ability to fund the ongoing war. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the sanctions are a response to the companies' roles in supporting the Kremlin's military operations.

President Trump, speaking from the Oval Office, described the sanctions as "tremendous" and expressed hope for a swift resolution to the conflict. He stated, "Today is a very big day in terms of what we’re doing. These are tremendous sanctions, these are very big, against their two big oil companies. We hope they won’t be on for long. We hope that the war will be settled."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the new sanctions, stating, "We waited for this. God bless, it will work. And this is very important." He has been a vocal advocate for international measures against Russia, urging for increased pressure to achieve a ceasefire.

Despite these sanctions, the war shows no signs of abating. Ukrainian forces are facing ongoing challenges against Russian advances along a 1,000-kilometer front in eastern and southern Ukraine. Zelenskyy has called for more international support to compel Moscow to agree to a ceasefire.

In addition to the sanctions, there have been reports of Russian military aircraft violating the airspace of Lithuania and Estonia, raising concerns among Baltic nations about potential threats from Russia. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda condemned the airspace violations, calling them a "blatant breach of international law."

The sanctions mark a significant shift in US policy, as Trump had previously refrained from imposing such measures in response to the war. The recent actions follow similar sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom on Rosneft and Lukoil. The US Treasury has warned that violations of these sanctions could lead to civil or criminal penalties for both US and foreign entities.

As the situation evolves, the international community remains watchful, with ongoing discussions about further actions to support Ukraine and deter Russian aggression. Meanwhile, Sweden has announced plans to supply up to 150 Gripen fighter jets to Ukraine, further solidifying military support for the embattled nation. Zelenskyy expressed optimism about receiving the aircraft, stating, "For our army, Gripens are a priority. It is about money, about manoeuvres."