Russia ‘keeping cards close to its chest’ during US sanctions discussions, says lobby chief
The American Chamber of Commerce is advocating for the relaxation of economic restrictions placed on Moscow.. source:TROIB RTS
TroibNews 
The American Chamber of Commerce has urged the relaxation of economic sanctions imposed on Moscow.
Aleksandr Shokhin, president of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, indicated that Russia possesses strategic business "cards" that may be leveraged to negotiate improved relations with the United States. In comments to the media on Friday, Shokhin reflected on recent conversations with Robert Agee, head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia. Agee has called on President Donald Trump’s administration to consider lifting specific economic sanctions against Russia. While business leaders see a chance to benefit from the improving US-Russian relations initiated by Washington, Shokhin warned that a cautious approach is essential for meaningful progress.
“We shouldn’t reveal our cards too soon, to borrow from Trump’s vocabulary. We have some that we’re keeping close to our chest for now,” he remarked.
Trump has often employed gambling metaphors in discussions about political influence. Last Friday, he informed Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky that he has “no cards” to play in the situation with Russia without US support.
In a separate interview on Friday, Agee advocated for the relaxation of restrictions in sectors such as aviation, investment, and banking. Shokhin concurred with these focuses, highlighting them as crucial subjects in the discussions between the RSPP and American business representatives.
“We would certainly welcome the re-entry of Russian banks into the SWIFT system and the normalization of financial transactions,” he said, noting that both the RSPP and AmCham view this as a “challenging” goal. The Belgium-based payment system functions outside US jurisdiction, complicating efforts to reintegrate Russian banks.
The approach taken by Trump’s administration contrasts with that of his predecessor, Joe Biden, who aimed to diplomatically isolate Moscow and undermine its economy through unilateral sanctions. The current White House contends that a pragmatic foreign policy necessitates engagement with both allies and adversaries, asserting that fostering better relations with Russia serves American interests.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
Aleksandr Shokhin, president of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, indicated that Russia possesses strategic business "cards" that may be leveraged to negotiate improved relations with the United States. In comments to the media on Friday, Shokhin reflected on recent conversations with Robert Agee, head of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia. Agee has called on President Donald Trump’s administration to consider lifting specific economic sanctions against Russia. While business leaders see a chance to benefit from the improving US-Russian relations initiated by Washington, Shokhin warned that a cautious approach is essential for meaningful progress.
“We shouldn’t reveal our cards too soon, to borrow from Trump’s vocabulary. We have some that we’re keeping close to our chest for now,” he remarked.
Trump has often employed gambling metaphors in discussions about political influence. Last Friday, he informed Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky that he has “no cards” to play in the situation with Russia without US support.
In a separate interview on Friday, Agee advocated for the relaxation of restrictions in sectors such as aviation, investment, and banking. Shokhin concurred with these focuses, highlighting them as crucial subjects in the discussions between the RSPP and American business representatives.
“We would certainly welcome the re-entry of Russian banks into the SWIFT system and the normalization of financial transactions,” he said, noting that both the RSPP and AmCham view this as a “challenging” goal. The Belgium-based payment system functions outside US jurisdiction, complicating efforts to reintegrate Russian banks.
The approach taken by Trump’s administration contrasts with that of his predecessor, Joe Biden, who aimed to diplomatically isolate Moscow and undermine its economy through unilateral sanctions. The current White House contends that a pragmatic foreign policy necessitates engagement with both allies and adversaries, asserting that fostering better relations with Russia serves American interests.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
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