Stephanie Baker

How the U.S.'s new sanctions on Russia could impact the war in Ukraine The Trump administration has levied new sanctions against Russia, targeting the country's oil industry. NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks with journalist Stephanie Baker about the implications.

Great to be on @NPR.org with Ayesha Rascoe to talk about the Trump administration’s new sanctions on Russian oil after Putin’s refusal to agree a ceasefire in Ukraine. Listen here

www.npr.org/2025/10/26/n...

I went on Times Radio this morning to talk about Trump’s decision to impose sanctions on Russia’s two biggest oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil. It is a significant turning point and the first time Trump has hit Russia directly with sanctions in his second term. This will squeeze Russia’s revenues

Trump finally sanctions Russia’s two largest oil producers Rosneft and Lukoil after Putin refused a ceasefire. This is a major turning point and hopefully will be backed up by threats of secondary sanctions on anyone that does business with them.

Another big turnout for our panel on Trump’s second tumultuous term at the Cheltenham Literature Festival moderated by the always sharp @hugorifkind.bsky.social Rifkind alongside @joshglancy.bsky.social and Katy Balls. We covered the world, from Gaza/Israel to Russia/Ukraine, tariffs and ICE.

We had 800 people sign up to attend our panel discussing Russia’s hybrid attacks on Europe and its devastating war in Ukraine at the Cheltenham Literature Festival with @olivermoody.bsky.social , Andrew Monaghan and Kataryna Wolczuk. Heartening to see such a good turnout @thetimes.com

Honored honored that my book, Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia, has been shortlisted for the 2025 SABEW Best in Business Book Awards for Business Reporting. A privilege to be included among such talented authors and journalists. sabew.org/2025/09/shor...

Looking forward to this panel on Russia’s threat to Europe at the Cheltenham Literary Festival next week with @olivernmoody @AndrewCMonaghan and Kataryna Wolczuk. Tickets here cheltenhamfestivals.org/events/the-spe…
@cheltfestivals

Another epic 2.5 hours on @bbcworldservice this morning talking about the big news stories of the week, including Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Trump, Israel, Egypt and much more. Thanks to the excellent @rebeccakesby1 and @JosephTorigian for such an interesting show. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Fascinating discussion at the inaugural
Hereford Military History Festival at the city’s beautiful cathedral with @Jess-Norman.bsky.social, Sir Robin Niblett and @TerryStiastny.bsky.social The conversation was dominated by Putin’s continued hybrid attacks on Europe.

My take on Trump’s latest change in rhetoric about Russia and Ukraine on @bbc5live.bsky.social. Watch his actions not his words

Really good discussion on @BBC Ukrainecast with @lucyhockings @vitalybbc and @mikey-kay.bsky.social to talk about the recent horrific attacks on Ukraine and possible new sanctions on Russia. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Great to take part in panels on economic and espionage battles at the Ukraine Freedom Summit in London with a good turnout despite the tube strike. @BorisJohnson called for seizing Russian assets for Ukraine. An impressive array of Ukrainian veterans made it a powerful gathering.

Sadly the Putin-Xi lovefest in Beijing with Modi and Kim has left Ukraine in an even worse position unless Europe steps up military aid and Trump imposes more US sanctions on Russia.

I really don’t understand why there’s not more outrage at Putin’s deliberate attacks on civilians in Ukraine. This time 14 killed including 3 children. The EU mission and British Council were also damaged in the 2nd largest attack this year. Meanwhile no sanctions
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Security guarantees are needed for any peace in Ukraine but the details remain vague, including whether Europe can muster enough troops, what exactly would they do, and the role of the US. Setting aside the fact that the Kremlin objects to European troops in Ukraine - why give Putin a veto?

Good to be on @msnbc.com with Alex Witt, @radiofreetom.bsky.social and Ambassador Steven Pifer to talk about the Trump-Putin summit. Longer segment here: www.msnbc.com/weekends-wit...

Live Q&A: What Are Ukraine's Options As Leaders Head to White House? Bloomberg reporters answer questions about Ukraine’s potential options after the summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska.

Please join me and my Bloomberg colleagues today at 3 pm UK time for a Live Q&A on what's next for Ukraine after the Putin-Trump summit
www.bloomberg.com/sessions/202...

With Russia’s economy struggling, Putin is desperate to head off any additional US sanctions or secondary tariffs that will make financing the war even more difficult #russia #trump #putin #ukraine

Russia's Faltering War Economy Adds to Putin's Woes Ahead of Trump Summit The Russian economy is spluttering under the weight of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine just as Presidents Putin and Trump meet to talk peace

Putin is going to Alaska to meet Trump as his economy falters, with stalling economic growth, slumping oil revenues and a widening budget deficit. He wants to head off further sanctions. www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

Russia’s VTB Bank Sees Lending Income Collapse Amid War Pressure Russia’s second largest bank, VTB Bank PJSC, is seeing a sustained deterioration in profits made from lending, feeding concern at the bank over its stability amid the economic pressures from President...

At Russia's second largest bank - VTB - net interest income slumped 49% to $1.9 billion in the first half of 2025. Senior managers at the bank are signaling privately that the data don’t reflect the true seriousness of the situation. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Spoke with @anitaanand.bsky.social on @BBCRadio4 about Trump’s order to impose additional US tariffs of 25% on India for buying Russian oil. Better ways to hit Russia directly.

Trump signs order to impose additional 25% tariffs on India because of its purchase of Russian oil on top of 25% country specific tariffs. India has 21 days before additional tariffs come into effect. Curious he's not targeting China, which buys even more oil from Russia.

Rheinmetall is Europe's largest ammunition producer making it crucial to Europe's defense and Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russia's invasion. Papperger says Rheinmetall is building or significantly expanding 10 plants, investing 8 billion euros to expand production

German authorities dropped the investigation into the assassination plan, citing a lack of concrete leads. But the US passed on extensive details to Germany last year, including about individuals and intent. The individuals were still at large in Germany at the end of last year.

Russia’s Secret War and the Plot to Kill a German CEO Armin Papperger runs a German defense company arming Ukraine. The efforts have brought the weapons supplier unprecedented riches, and put a target on his back.

Behind the story of the Russian plot to kill Armin Papperger, the CEO of German defense giant Rheinmetall which is leading Europe's rearmament. It was a plot actively in the works but the plotters escaped. www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

I went on @listentotimesradio.bsky.social with @neilbreakwell.bsky.social to talk about Trump’s deadline for Putin to agree a ceasefire.

I went on @BBCRadio4 with @BenChu_ to talk about whether Trump will impose secondary tariffs on countries that buy Russian oil. I don’t think he has the stomach for 100 pct tariffs on India and China. There are better ways to tighten the economic screws.

Derk Sauer, Moscow Times Founder and Dutch Media Entrepreneur, Dies at 72 - The Moscow Times Derk Sauer, the Dutch media entrepreneur who founded The Moscow Times, died on Thursday at age 72, his family said in a statement.

Unbelievably tragic. Derk Sauer was a legend who blazed a trail for free and fearless journalism in Russia and helped launch the careers of so many. I wouldn’t be where I am now without him. What a loss.
www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/07/31/d...

Great to be on @BBC Ukrainecast with @vicderbyshire.bsky.social to talk about Trump’s tariff threat if Putin doesn’t agree a ceasefire. As I argue in my book, Punishing Putin, Russian oil was never effectively sanctioned. I doubt Trump will follow through on his threat.
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Bessent Says China Talks Could Include Its Russia, Iran Oil Purchases Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the next round of US-China talks could include a discussion of China’s purchases of Russian and Iranian oil, a signal that the focus could shift from more traditi...

Bessent clarifies Trump's messy statement on tariffs if Putin doesn't negotiate. “Any country who buys sanctioned Russian oil is going to be subject to up to 100% secondary tariffs,” Bessent said. So not Russian uranium, which the US still buys from Moscow.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...