Rubio: We are working on sanctions against Russia

The US administration is working on a Senate bill on new sanctions against Russia, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a hearing in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives. The broadcast was hosted by NBC News.

"With regard to the sanctions bill... we have worked with you, Senator (Lindsey) Graham, and possibly with other employees of the Office of Legal Counsel. You discussed some of the wording, so I think you will achieve the necessary result in your bill," Rubio said.

US President Donald Trump, according to him, gave his consent to this. Rubio added that the wording of the bill is currently being coordinated.

Earlier, Rubio said that the United States would stop renewing licenses for oil supplies from Russia, as soon as the situation allows. He explained that it all depends on the circumstances.

"This is a temporary exception in order to open wider access to world supplies," the diplomat explained.

On May 18, the United States extended the exemption from sanctions against Russian oil transported by sea. As Reuters reported, the decision was made after several states requested additional time to buy oil from Russia — in particular, due to supply disruptions from The Persian Gulf in connection with the conflict in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

In the same month, the United States extended the license for the sale of LUKOIL's foreign assets for a month. The company decided to sell them in October last year against the backdrop of sanctions by the US Treasury.

At the end of April, the US Treasury announced the search for new methods of pressure on Russia. Donald Trump, explaining why he does not impose new sanctions against Russia, said in 2025 that he was waiting for the conclusion of a peace deal on Ukraine.

Moscow considers the sanctions illegal.