AI-Summary – News For Tomorrow
In September 2025, Scott Bessent urged secondary tariffs on countries importing Russian oil to economically pressure President Putin into negotiating an end to the war in Ukraine. This call came after a major Russian air assault on Kyiv, condemned by US Envoy Keith Kellogg as an escalation. President Trump hinted at tougher sanctions against Russia and its oil buyers, a stance welcomed by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy criticized nations continuing to buy Russian energy. While Trump had sought diplomatic solutions, including meetings with Putin and Zelenskyy, recent events have diminished hopes for a peaceful resolution.
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Scott Bessent calls for secondary tariffs on Russian oil importers to bring President Vladimir Putin ‘to the table’.
Published On 7 Sep 2025
Speaking to NBC News on Sunday, Bessent said that Russia’s war in Ukraine has become “a race now, between how long can the Ukrainian military hold up, versus how long can the Russian economy hold up”.
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According to Bessent, additional sanctions and secondary tariffs on nations importing Russian crude would push the Russian economy “into total collapse” and bring President Vladimir Putin “to the table”.
“We are prepared to increase pressure on Russia, but we need our European partners to follow us,” said Bessent.
The warning comes a month after the administration of US President Donald Trump slapped 50 percent tariffs on India over its continued purchases of Russian oil, among the steepest levies Washington has imposed on any country.
Hours before Bessent’s remarks, Russia carried out what Ukrainian officials described as its largest air assault since the invasion began in 2022. The overnight strikes killed at least four people and ignited a government building in Kyiv.
US Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg condemned the attack on Sunday, writing on X that Moscow “appears to be escalating with the largest attack of the war, hitting offices of the UKR Cabinet in Kyiv.”
“The attack was not a signal that Russia wants to diplomatically end this war,” he added.
Trump also hinted on Sunday at a tougher stance, suggesting he was prepared to escalate sanctions against Moscow or its oil buyers.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to increase pressure on Russia, but has stopped short of committing to specific measures, even as he struggles to deliver on promises to end the war quickly.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the prospect of penalties on states still doing business with Moscow.
In an interview with ABC on Sunday, he said: “I’m very thankful to all the partners, but some of them, I mean, they continue [to] buy oil and Russian gas and this is not fair… I think the idea to put tariffs on the countries that continue make deals with Russia, I think this is the right idea.”
For months, Trump has been pushing to find a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, to no avail.
Last week, he travelled to Alaska for his first meeting with Putin since starting his second term. Shortly afterwards, he hosted Zelenskyy and European leaders in Washington for discussions on ending the war.
But optimism for peace has since faded, with Russia persisting in its bombardment of Ukrainian cities.
