Trump Extends Ban on Russian Ships in US Ports

President Donald Trump has extended for another year the ban on Russian and Russian-affiliated vessels from docking at U.S. ports, continuing a policy initiated by Joe Biden after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The executive order, published in the Federal Register, cites ongoing national security concerns and Russia's actions that are deemed a threat to U.S. international relations. The ban targets both conventional Russian vessels and the so-called 'shadow fleet' of oil tankers used by Russia to circumvent sanctions and maintain oil revenues. Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to further crack down on this shadow fleet, which is believed to finance Russia's war efforts and evade international restrictions. The U.S. State Department has stated that these sanctions will remain until a ceasefire is reached in Ukraine. Despite Trump's attempts to broker peace, his administration maintains the sanctions to keep pressure on Russia.