Lifting sanctions for peace? What is behind Washington’s plans for Russia?
7 March 2025 22:19
Washington is considering easing sanctions against Russia’s energy sector as part of a broader plan that would allow the United States to quickly lift restrictions if Moscow agrees to end the war in Ukraine. Reuters reported this with reference to its sources, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
The media outlet writes that the United States is developing plans for the possible lifting of sanctions against certain Russian companies and individuals. However, it was not clear whether these steps would affect Russia’s oil and gas industry. After all, this country remains one of the world’s largest oil and gas producers. The United States is trying to limit its revenues to weaken its ability to finance the war by imposing sanctions and setting a price cap on Russian oil at $60 per barrel.
According to Reuters sources, the White House has instructed the Treasury Department to study possible options for easing sanctions ahead of planned talks between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
This preparatory work should allow Washington to quickly lift sanctions if a ceasefire is reached in Ukraine. However, the interlocutors, who spoke on condition of anonymity, emphasize that discussions of a possible easing of restrictions do not mean that the United States will lift sanctions without serious concessions from Russia.
What preceded it
US President Donald Trump announced that he intends to meet with Vladimir Putin in Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. According to analysts, sanctions relief is likely to be one of the key points of a possible agreement.
However, on Friday, March 7, Trump also suggested the imposition of new large-scale sanctions against Russia, while calling on both sides to start negotiations as soon as possible. This move came after Russian troops attacked Ukraine’s energy and gas infrastructure. It was the first major attack since the United States suspended military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
What you need to know about the US restrictive measures against russia
The study of energy sanctions is part of a broader review of U.S. restrictive measures against Russia. This process also includes the possibility of lifting sanctions on a number of Russian companies, individuals and some oligarchs.
Since the annexation of Crimea in 2014, the United States has imposed several sets of sanctions on Russia, including travel bans, asset freezes, and restrictions in sectors such as energy, finance, and defense.
The Trump administration is now seeking to ensure that if a deal is reached with Russia, sanctions can be lifted quickly, without bureaucratic delays. Sources say that Washington wants to avoid a repeat of the problems that arose during the lifting of sanctions against Russian aluminum producer Rusal in 2019. Back then, delays in lifting sanctions caused disruptions in aluminum supplies, which led to a 30% price increase and affected the transportation, construction, and packaging industries.
In addition, the US Treasury is analyzing the possible consequences of Russia’s return to the global oil market. In particular, it is studying how this will affect prices and the redistribution of trade flows, given that European countries have gradually reduced their purchases of Russian oil in favor of American supplies. Despite the continued supply of Russian oil to China and India, problems with payments and ship insurance continue to complicate its delivery.
