US to monitor global Russian oil imports under new executive order

In an escalation of its economic pressure campaign against Moscow, US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order authorizing the monitoring of Russian oil imports by third-party countries, with the possibility of imposing trade penalties if violations are found.

The directive, published on the official White House website, aims to further curtail Russia’s energy revenues amid its ongoing war in Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports.

Under the order, the US Secretary of Commerce—working in coordination with the Secretaries of State and the Treasury, as well as other relevant agencies—is tasked with determining whether any foreign nation is importing Russian oil either directly or indirectly. Should such imports be confirmed, the agencies must recommend to the President whether punitive trade measures are warranted. These may include the imposition of a 25% tariff on goods imported from the violating country.

The executive order explicitly states that its purpose is to undermine Russia’s capacity to fund military operations through energy exports and to hold accountable those countries that help sustain the Russian economy through oil purchases.

The new order comes just days ahead of a looming deadline President Trump set for Russia to cease hostilities in Ukraine, after which he has vowed to implement sweeping new economic penalties if progress toward peace is not made.

By Vafa Guliyeva