WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement on the Obama administration’s announcement of a new round of economic sanctions on Russia for that country’s failure to deescalate tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border:

“This is a short-term response to a crisis, which is targeted and appropriate. But we also need to take the long view and determine what steps we – as the world’s largest oil and gas producer – can take to strengthen Ukraine and Europe’s energy security,” Murkowski said. “Strengthening our trading ties with Europe by increasing our exports of oil and gas will send a strong signal to the world that we are serious about our role as a major energy producer.” 

The U.S. sanctions target, for the first time, Russia’s oil and gas industry. The sanctions would limit oil giant Rosneft and gas producer Novatek’s access to U.S. capital for financing new projects.

Murkowski is the top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.