Sanctions on Russian oil buyers would be ‘most significant’ since 2022

Secondary US tariffs targeting Russia’s trade partners could be the most significant sanctions measure since the start of the war in Ukraine, the Lithuanian president’s chief national security advisor says.

“If nothing happens within 50 days, secondary sanctions against third countries buying Russian oil will probably be the most significant sanctions decision in the past three and a half years,” Deividas Matulionis told the radio Žinių Radijas on Tuesday.

“Even just imposing 100% tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil would deal a major blow to Russia’s oil exports,” he added.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump threatened Moscow with sanctions unless it took action over the war in Ukraine within 50 days.

Trump said these would be secondary tariffs targeting Russia’s remaining trade partners.

The US president and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also unveiled a deal under which the alliance would purchase weapons from the United States – including Patriot missile defence systems – and send them to Ukraine to help it defend against Russia’s invasion.

“I think this is a very significant message, considering that just a few months ago it seemed the US wouldn’t provide any military aid at all,” Matulionis said.

It is important to monitor how the system will function and whether the support will reach Ukraine on time, the presidential adviser added.

“I believe it will work, and it sends a strong message to Russia: despite genuine efforts by the United States to pursue a peace deal, the Russians have shown their true colours – they don’t want peace and it’s basically important for them to continue the war,” he said.

Rutte said that Ukraine would get “massive numbers” of weapons under the deal and that Germany, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom would be among the buyers supplying Kyiv.

Matulionis did not rule out that Lithuania could join this group of countries at some stage.

“I can’t say for sure today, but I’m almost certain we’ll get involved,” he said.