A US decision to remove newly implemented sanctions on Russian oil purchased from India is an abomination that benefits Russia to the detriment of both America and our ally, Ukraine.
The sanction relief proposal aims to curb high oil prices as a consequence of the Iran war. However, this proposal coupled with skyrocketing oil prices will boost Russia’s oil revenues so they can continue their genocidal war in Ukraine. It also sets the stage for further relief for Moscow. By helping Russia, America is sabotaging its own interests, having spent $188 billion to help Ukraine defeat Russia.
Just as Russia’s economy was on the verge of collapsing, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessentt erroneously assessed “the financial impact for Russia as minimal.”
If this is true then why are Kremlin officials cheering? It lends the appearance that America is rescuing Russia’s economy to the detriment of not only Ukraine, but America as well. Moreover, the proposal came right after Russia provided targeting intelligence to Iran. It is unconscionable that Washington would consider rewarding Russia for helping Iran amid evidence that Russia may be culpable for the deaths of seven US serviceman.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has stated that the deaths of these US serviceman resulted from a powerful “Iranian weapon.” He also stated that “Russia and China are not really a factor.” This dismissal of Russia’s culpability miscalculates Russia and Iran’s powerful axis of evil. They have increasingly traded financial and military favors coupled with satellite imagery intelligence and drone targeting strategies so Iran can strike at Americans and their allies – just as Russia has been striking at Ukrainians.
It is unconscionable that Washington would consider rewarding Russia for helping Iran amid evidence that Russia may be culpable for the deaths of seven US serviceman.
As such, there is ample evidence that Russia has American blood on their hands. Historically, Iran has been deficient at accurately striking enemy targets. Russia has helped Iran launch at least 5 satellites according to Behnam Ben Taleblu a Senior Fellow with the Defense for Democracies Foundation. Satellite imagery is crucial for accurate missile and drone targeting and Russia is a crucial enabler. Not to mention that Russia secretly agreed to send Iran €500 million worth of Verba portable air defense systems. Russia allegedly had provided Iran with helicopters and military aircraft previously.
Rewarding Russia sabotages American interests. Instead, Congress should expedite passage of stalled legislation – the Sanctioning Russia Act – that would place 500% tariffs on all countries purchasing Russian energy. This was endorsed by former CIA Director and former General David Petraeus who lambasted Russia on a recent Fox News segment. Once enacted this economic “nuclear option” would conceivably devastate Russia’s largely oil-based economy, forcing an end to Russia’s war.
Meanwhile, US officials continue embracing a fallacy that Russian troops are continually advancing and winning. Ironically, Russia is experiencing about 35,000 casualties monthly, as Ukraine liberates more territory than it has since 2023. US officials apparently bought into these Kremlin lies and have been putting pressure on Ukraine to accept Russia’s maximalist demands, including territorial concessions. This would merely insure Russia’s enslavement of millions of Ukrainians.
America is an apprentice in drone warfare compared to Ukraine’s master expertise. This became apparent after the deaths of those American servicemen in the Gulf region. Washington then requested Ukrainian drone experts, who were sent to Jordan to protect American soldiers. Ten other countries are desperately seeking Ukraine’s drone interception expertise as well.
Ukraine’s accomplishments include shooting down tens of thousands of Iranian Shahad drones with an 80 percent success rate, They can mass produce drone interceptors for about $5,000 each, a fraction of the millions of dollars America spends for each drone interception. There is a gaping vulnerability in America’s drone warfare program that Ukraine can alleviate.
US officials need to recognize that America and Ukraine are fighting a common enemy: Russia. This unity must be willed into reality by sharing intelligence, battlefield knowledge, drone expertise and weapons manufacturing capabilities. America benefits from Ukraine and in return America should increase aid for Ukraine and use our $35 trillion yearly economy to leverage sanctions against Russian oil buyers.
Similar to America’s war in Iran, decisive American actions – not words or promises – will be the critical factor forcing Russia to negotiate a sincere long-lasting peace benefiting both America and Ukraine.
The views expressed in this opinion article are the author’s and not necessarily those of Kyiv Post.