International

US authorities are considering imposing sanctions on Russia in an attempt to stabilize the oil market. The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing sources, that the U.S. administration intends to urge the Saudi authorities to return to the previous level of oil production. The newspaper emphasizes that Washington intends to use diplomatic channels for this, including at the level of the State Department and the National Security Council of the White House.In addition, sources in The Wall Street Journal point out that the administration of US President Donald Trump is exploring the possibility of imposing sanctions on Russia. At the same time, they do not specify what restrictive measures will be aimed at and what step on the part of Moscow can provoke them.Earlier Thursday, Trump said that “in due time,” he was going to join in a discussion of the situation around the differences between Russia and Saudi Arabia on oil. At the same time, the head of the White House expressed the opinion that low hydrocarbon prices are “destructive” for the Russian economy.