‘Tightening Screws’ – US, Ukraine Coordinate Hard-Line Economic, Military Pressure on Russia

WASHINGTON, DC, October 15 ------ US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to reaffirm Washington’s “unwavering support” for Kyiv as both sides sought to tighten the economic screws on Russia.

The high-level talks in Washington, which come ahead of an upcoming visit by President Volodymyr Zelensky, focused on deepening economic cooperation, particularly the newly operational US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund. The meeting also served as a launchpad for a joint campaign to press European allies to close the sanctions loophole allowing the purchase of Russian oil.

The high-level Ukrainian delegation’s visit initiates an intense week of Kyiv’s diplomacy in the capital that is overshadowed by a potential military escalation: the prospect of Washington supplying Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk missiles.

‘Unwavering’ support from Washington

According to the Treasury Department, Bessent reaffirmed Washington’s “unwavering support for Ukrainian sovereignty” and its commitment to a “lasting, durable peace.” He also used the meeting to deliver a pointed message to European partners.

Bessent “reiterated the US commitment to working with G7 partners to significantly escalate pressure on Russia,” the readout stated, specifically stressing the need for European allies to “ratchet up their pressure campaign not only against Russia, but also against any country that finances the Russian war machine through purchases of Russian oil.”

Svyrydenko echoed the urgency in a social media post. She confirmed that the recently operational US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund – which she championed – was moving forward, focused on projects in critical minerals, energy, and infrastructure. “Russia must be deprived of every lever of influence over our partners and every remaining source of revenue that sustains its war,” she wrote, signaling that the pressure on Russian oil remains Kyiv’s top financial priority. She also appreciated Bessent’s commitment to “block all channels that continue to finance Russia’s war through its oil trade.”

Tightening the screws

The coordinated messaging from Washington and Kyiv was swiftly hailed by analysts who say a decisive shift in US policy may be imminent. Shelby Magid, Deputy Director at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, told Kyiv Post that Bessent’s push on sanctions was “right on point.” “The Secretary is absolutely right that we must keep tightening the screws on Moscow’s war financing,” Magid emphasized. She characterized the meetings as “a strong start to a week of intense diplomacy by the Ukrainian side.”

Magid connected the current diplomatic momentum directly to shifting priorities in the White House. The talks, she said, are “especially timely as President Trump shifts his focus from peace in the Middle East to ending Russia’s war.” “Trump likes gaining momentum, and this is the right moment to back Ukraine in pushing harder against Russia. He increasingly appears ready to do so, and the signs from both Bessent and the Prime Minister make that outcome look even more likely,” she said.

Source: kyivpost.com