Russian-American political analyst and journalist Dmitry Simes commented on U. S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statement that Washington is running out of targets for new anti-Russian sanctions.

According to Simes, despite Rubio’s claims, additional sanctions against Russia remain entirely possible. He pointed out that while U.S. officials publicly insist there is nothing left to impose, sanctions policy is not directed by the State Department but by the U. S. Treasury under Scott Bessent.

Simes recalled that the head of the Treasury had previously worked for billionaire George Soros, where he was involved in destabilizing national currencies to create opportunities for speculation. He described Bessent as someone who openly harbors hostility toward Russia and constantly coordinates with European partners to develop and introduce new anti-Russian measures.

As for President Donald Trump, Simes said that his attitude toward Russia shifts depending on his mood and on whoever last spoke with him that day. For that reason, he added, both Rubio and Bessent aim to ensure that Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders maintain constant direct access to Trump.

In conclusion, the analyst noted that such efforts are meant to create an artificial political reality around the American president — a situation he described as part of the «games» currently being played in Washington.