Sanctioning Russian Oil Must Be Coupled with U.S. Domestic Production
This week, the Trump administration showcased their frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his war machine. The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, escalating pressure on the Kremlin to end its war in Ukraine. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the move targets the oil companies that “fund the Kremlin’s war machine” and called on Moscow to agree to an “immediate ceasefire.” The sanctions target dozens of subsidiaries connected to the two energy giants and mark a significant effort to further isolate the already wounded Russian war economy.
Fox Business reports,
“The sanctions block dozens of subsidiaries tied to both energy giants and signal a broader push to isolate Russia’s economy and to “degrade the Kremlin’s ability to raise revenue for its war machine.” Officials say more action could follow if Russia continues to refuse peace talks. “I think that they’ll certainly have an impact there. They’re massive sanctions and sanctions on oil. The two biggest oil companies, among the biggest in the world,” Trump said during a press gaggle in the Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary Gen. Mark Rutte Wednesday not long after the sanctions were announced.”
While these sanctions represent a strong stand against aggression, the real lesson is evident: American energy is the foundation of American strength. This move is a stark contrast to President Biden’s time in office; the Trump team has boosted domestic production and used tariffs to secure economic deals to smooth out the geopolitical tensions around buying Russian oil and rewarding the aggressor. Sanctions alone are not enough. Since the beginning of the war in 2022, Power The Future has advocated for this sanctions-plus-production strategy. To truly put Putin in a corner, America must continue to produce more energy at home—sanctions plus at-home production that is the recipe for security, prosperity, and freedom.
October 24, 2025