U.S. sanctions on Russia come as a welcome surprise to many in Ukraine and those watching the war, but skepticism remains that the new White House steps against Moscow will lead to a peace deal anytime soon.

President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday announced the U.S. would level sanctions against Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in an attempt to pressure Russia into negotiating a peace deal over Ukraine.

“Hopefully he’ll [Russian President Vladimir Putin] become reasonable,” Trump said in comments to the media, speaking alongside NATO's secretary-general, Mark Rutte, in the White House on Wednesday. Russia's Foreign Ministry called the sanctions "counterproductive."

President's Frustration

Trump had become more overtly frustrated with the Kremlin as t

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