The US has reached its limit on imposing new sanctions against Russia

Restrictions have already been imposed on the largest oil companies, and the next steps will likely focus on ensuring compliance with existing sanctions rather than introducing new ones, according to Ukrainska Pravda.

Rubio said that, practically speaking, there is almost nothing left that we could sanction.

“We hit their largest oil companies — that's what everyone wanted,” Rubio said.

The secretary of state also addressed the issue of the so-called “shadow fleet” that Russia uses to circumvent oil restrictions. He described the fight against it as a mechanism to ensure compliance with sanctions, rather than a reason for new ones. Rubio expressed the opinion that European partners should play a more active role in this process, since a significant part of the ships pass closer to their territories.

When asked whether Russia really wants peace, Rubio replied that this can only be assessed by its actions. In his opinion, Moscow has clearly stated what it wants — it wants the rest of the Donetsk region, and such demands are unacceptable to the Ukrainian side.

Rubio commented on the intense missile strikes on Ukrainian territory, which, according to him, are aimed at destroying the power grid and demoralizing the population.

In the context of support for Ukraine, the Secretary of State confirmed that the US is in constant negotiations with the Ukrainian side on assistance in stabilizing the energy network. He stressed that Ukraine's energy system is deteriorating every year.

According to Rubio, discussions are underway regarding the provision of both special equipment and defensive weapons to protect energy facilities. However, the key problem remains the high risk of equipment being destroyed shortly after installation.

“If this equipment is destroyed a week after it is installed, it remains a problem. And that has been the case for the past two to three years,” Rubio concluded.

Photo: Glavred.