The United States is considering a plan to relieve sanctions to Russia as President Donald Trump moves to restore diplomatic and economic ties with Moscow and boost the end of the war in Ukraine, Fuentes said. Reuters.
The White House has ordered the state and treasure departments to write a list of sanctions that could be raised, and American officials are expected to discuss the proposals with Russian representatives in the coming days.
According to reports, the plan includes facilitating restrictions on selected Russian entities and oligarchs.
Although officials routinely prepare options for sanctions policies, this direct request highlights the disposition of the Trump administration to negotiate the relief of sanctions as part of a broader strategy for conversations with Moscow. It is not clear what Washington can look for.
Trump has adopted a different position from the previous administration, which imposed difficult sanctions to Russia after its 2022 Ukraine invasion.
Although he had previously threatened harder penalties if the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, refused to negotiate, Trump’s officials have recently recognized the possibility of relieving restrictions.
The secretary of the Treasury, Scott Besent, suggested in a recent interview that Russia could receive economic relief depending on his negotiation approach. Trump himself declared on February 26 that the sanctions could be raised “at some point.”
Moscow has indicated interest in economic cooperation, particularly with respect to rare earth minerals. However, any formal agreement would probably require the United States to relax sanctions, asking questions about the future of American politics towards Russia.
