US preparing new sanctions to force Russia to negotiations, Whitaker says

US President Donald Trump is preparing additional tough sanctions against Russia in an effort to pressure Vladimir Putin into negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, US Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker said on Tuesday.

“We have imposed these sanctions. We intend to maintain them”, he said.

Last week, the US Treasury Department issued sanctions targeting Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil - the first major financial measures levied against Moscow since Trump entered office.

The announcement sent oil prices higher, though market reaction remained cautious amid uncertainty over how aggressively Washington would enforce the new restrictions.

Whitaker said the latest sanctions package marked only the beginning of a broader strategy.

“President Trump holds all the cards and this is just one of them. There are many more”, he said.