Washington is preparing new sanctions against the "shadow fleet" if Putin does not fulfill the ultimatum - ft

The Trump administration may impose additional sanctions against tankers of the Russian “shadow fleet” if Vladimir Putin does not agree to the ceasefire in Ukraine until Friday, the newspaper Financial Times recognized . Such a step would be the first serious sanctions measure of the United States against Moscow since Trump returned to the White House, emphasizes FT.

At the beginning of 2024, the officials of the Biden administration were surprised by the effectiveness of the restrictions on the “shadow fleet”, writes FT. After the United States began to be included in the sanctions lists, not owners, but tankers, carriers and buyers themselves began to refuse to cooperate with such courts. According to the KPLER analytical platform, six months before the introduction of sanctions, these tankers on average transported 48 million barrels of Russian oil per month, and then - only 13 million.

According to sources, sanctions against the “shadow fleet” are considered as a “light first step” increase in pressure on Russia. Trump is increasingly annoyed by Putin's behavior. On Wednesday, his special representative Steve Whitkoff will go to Moscow to convey the position of the United States. The decision on new sanctions will be made if the trip does not bring the result, the source close to the administration said.

Among other possible measures, the tightening of the execution of existing sanctions is considered, as well as joining the new EU system, which establishes a “floating” price ceiling on Russian oil. She will enter into force in early September. In addition, in the US Congress, a bill on duties of 500% for imports from countries buying Russian energy resources is under consideration.