Scott Bessent Signals Tougher Stance on Russia

(MENAFN) U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declared that “all options are on the table” as the Trump administration considers implementing additional penalties on Russia in response to its persistent aerial assaults on Ukrainian urban centers.

In an exclusive exchange with Fox News, Bessent responded to questions about possible punitive steps aimed at Moscow.

He emphasized the seriousness of the matter and noted the inconsistency between Russian actions and their earlier commitments.

“(Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin, since the historic meeting in Anchorage, since the phone call, when the European leaders and (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy were at the White House the following Monday, has done the opposite of following through on what he indicated he wanted to do. As a matter of fact, he has, in a despicable, despicable manner, increased the bombing campaign,” Bessent stated.

He went on to underscore that under President Trump’s leadership, “all options are on the table,” adding that officials would be scrutinizing the available measures with urgency and diligence during the week.

President Trump, after meeting with Putin in Alaska on August 15, remarked that he expected to determine within “two weeks” whether tangible headway could be achieved in halting the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

He also hinted at the possibility of introducing economic sanctions or trade penalties against Moscow.

The U.S. leader has cautioned that a lack of progress might result in “massive sanctions or massive tariffs or both,” signaling a potential pivot toward stronger economic retaliation.

In a subsequent interview with a news outlet, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this sentiment, noting that although Trump has the authority to introduce new sanctions, doing so would likely bring about the “end of the talks.”

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