**US Extends Sanctions on Russian Vessels Amid Ongoing Tensions with Moscow**
In a move aimed at increasing pressure on Russia, US President Donald Trump has extended sanctions on Russian and Russian-affiliated vessels. The new sanctions were announced in a US Federal Register document released on April 15 and are set to take effect on April 17.
This decision comes as the US-led ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine and Russia continue to drag on, with both sides showing little progress towards a peaceful resolution. Trump has been vocal about his frustration with both parties, saying that he is “continually frustrated” with their inability to reach an agreement.
The sanctions extension marks a continuation of the executive order signed by Trump earlier this month, which extended previous sanctions against Russia for one year. The original sanctions were imposed by former US President Joe Biden in April 2021 and have been renewed periodically since then.
**Heightened Enforcement of Sanctions**
In related news, a bipartisan group of US senators has introduced legislation aimed at strengthening the enforcement of sanctions against Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers. This move is seen as an effort to crack down on oil revenues that fund Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The bill, sponsored by Republican Senator Joni Ernst, seeks to target Russian efforts to evade US sanctions and continue flowing oil revenue to Moscow. According to Ernst, Russia’s “ghost fleet” has been operating in secret to enrich its own war machine and aid Iranian oil smuggling.
**Ukraine Takes Action**
In response to the ongoing tensions with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a new sanctions package targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” on April 10. The move aims to prevent Russian vessels from circumventing sanctions and continuing to flow oil revenue to Moscow.
Zelensky emphasized that the new sanctions target those who seek to undermine Ukraine’s defense, as well as officials with influence in Moscow. This move is seen as an effort by Ukraine to take control of its own destiny and resist Russian aggression.
**What it Means**
The extension of US sanctions on Russian vessels marks a continued escalation of tensions between the two nations. The introduction of new legislation aimed at strengthening enforcement of sanctions against Russia’s “shadow fleet” also highlights the growing frustration with Moscow’s actions.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues to simmer, international pressure on Russia is likely to increase. The United States and other Western nations may need to consider further measures to prevent Russian aggression and support Ukrainian sovereignty.
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