Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had a tense exchange with NBC News host Kristen Welker on Sunday, disputing her claims that the US had lifted sanctions on Russia.
What happened
Bessent appeared on Meet the Press, where Welker asked him why President Donald Trump was waiving Russia sanctions, which she characterized as rewarding Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bessent countered that no sanctions were lifted, and that European countries continue to purchase large amounts of Russian energy.
According to Bessent, the only change was the lifting of the embargo on Russian diesel. He also pointed out that President Trump had previously imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest energy companies, Rosneft and Lukoil.
Welker pressed Bessent on why the US was not imposing tougher sanctions on Russia, given its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Bessent responded that European countries have given Russia more financial support than the US has, and that they continue to import large quantities of Russian energy.
Bessent cited figures showing that 136 out of 140 cargoes of Russian energy went to Europe in the first six months of the year, worth over $8 billion. He also noted that European allies had refused to join the US in imposing secondary tariffs on China and India.
