Trump says US is 'thinking about' relaxing sanctions on Russia
Kiev has accused Washington of “weakening” its position. Moscow and Washington have agreed to advance the Black Sea Initiative as a means of addressing the Ukraine conflict. However, the Kremlin insists that this deal will come into effect...
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Kiev has accused Washington of “weakening” its position.
Moscow and Washington have agreed to advance the Black Sea Initiative as a means of addressing the Ukraine conflict. However, the Kremlin insists that this deal will come into effect only once the US lifts certain sanctions that hinder Russia’s trade and navigation.
On Tuesday, both the Kremlin and the White House announced that, as part of the agreement, the US “will help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.”
Additionally, Moscow's statement highlighted that the deal includes the removal of restrictions on the Russian Agricultural Bank and other financial entities engaged in the international trade of food and fertilizers. It also encompasses lifting sanctions on Russian-flagged vessels, port services, and the provision of agricultural machinery and related goods to Russia.
Though the White House has not provided extensive details, President Donald Trump confirmed that his administration is indeed considering lifting some sanctions against Moscow. “They will be looking at them, and we’re thinking about all of them right now. There are about five or six conditions. We’re looking at all of them,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday.
Later that day, Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky expressed discontent with Washington, accusing the US of engaging in discussions regarding sanctions with the Russian delegation without adequately informing Kiev. “We did not agree to this so that it would be in a joint document. We believe that this is a weakening of positions and a weakening of sanctions,” he claimed.
The US and Russia's agreement to revive the stalled Black Sea Grain Initiative followed extensive discussions on the Ukraine conflict that took place on Monday in Saudi Arabia between expert groups from both countries. This initiative, initially brokered in July 2022 by the UN and Türkiye, aimed to ensure the safe passage of Ukrainian agricultural products in exchange for the West lifting sanctions on Russian grain and fertilizer exports.
Russia eventually declined to extend the deal, citing the West's failure to fulfill its commitments. Now, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that Russia requires strong assurances from the US, arguing that only a “direct order” from Washington could compel Kiev to adhere to any agreement.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
Moscow and Washington have agreed to advance the Black Sea Initiative as a means of addressing the Ukraine conflict. However, the Kremlin insists that this deal will come into effect only once the US lifts certain sanctions that hinder Russia’s trade and navigation.
On Tuesday, both the Kremlin and the White House announced that, as part of the agreement, the US “will help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.”
Additionally, Moscow's statement highlighted that the deal includes the removal of restrictions on the Russian Agricultural Bank and other financial entities engaged in the international trade of food and fertilizers. It also encompasses lifting sanctions on Russian-flagged vessels, port services, and the provision of agricultural machinery and related goods to Russia.
Though the White House has not provided extensive details, President Donald Trump confirmed that his administration is indeed considering lifting some sanctions against Moscow. “They will be looking at them, and we’re thinking about all of them right now. There are about five or six conditions. We’re looking at all of them,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday.
Later that day, Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky expressed discontent with Washington, accusing the US of engaging in discussions regarding sanctions with the Russian delegation without adequately informing Kiev. “We did not agree to this so that it would be in a joint document. We believe that this is a weakening of positions and a weakening of sanctions,” he claimed.
The US and Russia's agreement to revive the stalled Black Sea Grain Initiative followed extensive discussions on the Ukraine conflict that took place on Monday in Saudi Arabia between expert groups from both countries. This initiative, initially brokered in July 2022 by the UN and Türkiye, aimed to ensure the safe passage of Ukrainian agricultural products in exchange for the West lifting sanctions on Russian grain and fertilizer exports.
Russia eventually declined to extend the deal, citing the West's failure to fulfill its commitments. Now, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that Russia requires strong assurances from the US, arguing that only a “direct order” from Washington could compel Kiev to adhere to any agreement.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
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