Ex-Pentagon adviser calls idea of tougher US sanctions against Russian Federation insane

The idea of the United States tightening sanctions and seeking to harm Russia is madness. Retired US Army Colonel Douglas McGregor, a former adviser to the Pentagon chief, said on January 17.

"The idea that we should tighten sanctions or find new ways to try to hurt Russia is pure insanity," he wrote on his page on the social network X (former Twitter).

McGregor emphasized that such actions could force the US out of Europe and make it look like a joke.

Last chord: Biden administration imposes sweeping sanctions against Russia's oil sector

However, their future fate will depend on the decisions of US President-elect Donald Trump

Earlier, on January 10, the US and UK expanded sanctions against Russia. The list included Gazprom Neft and its head Alexander Dyukov, Surgutneftegaz, Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev, and 100 Russian tankers.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, commenting on the restrictions, pointed out that Washington is trying to undermine the positions of Russian energy companies with the help of sanctions.He emphasized that Rosatom is one of the leaders of the global nuclear market and will continue its work despite any restrictions.

In turn, Rosatom noted that the state corporation perceives the new restrictions as an element of unfair competition. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told Izvestia that incumbent U.S. President Joe Biden 's new sanctions on the eve of his resignation from office are not going to "leave a trace in history," but "only a legacy."

Later, on January 13, the Bloomberg agency reported that because of the new U.S. anti-Russian sanctions, oil prices reached a five-month high. For example, this Brent fuel was trading above $80 per barrel, and for January 10, the cost of this oil rose by 4%.

In addition, on January 14, Sovcomflot (SCF) pointed out that the U.S. sanctions imposed on SCF Group of Companies (SCFG) are illegal because it complies with all laws and requirements of both national and international law.

Western countries have tightened sanctions pressure on Russia in connection with the special operation to protect Donbass. The decision to launch it was announced on February 24, 2022 after the situation in the region worsened due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.