Russia seeks US sanctions relief in exchange for "energy ceasefire" in Ukraine

Russia wants the US to ease sanctions in return for a commitment to halt attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Source: European Pravda, citing The Kyiv Independent

Details: US and Ukrainian officials familiar with the talks told The Kyiv Independent that Russia is seeking sanctions relief from the US as part of negotiations on a possible halt to mutual attacks on energy infrastructure and wants to link the initiative to a ceasefire in the Black Sea.

The Kyiv Independent stresses that these demands come as Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Publicly, Moscow has shown little willingness to commit to an energy ceasefire. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on 8 October that Russia sees no point in negotiating a sectoral ceasefire.

"Kyiv is not currently proposing a long-term settlement, but rather a ceasefire in an area that is its Achilles' heel – the energy sector," Peskov said.

However, one US official and two Ukrainian officials said the Russians have privately signalled Moscow's willingness to consider the initiative, but are linking any potential agreement to other demands, including sanctions relief.

The US has been pressing both Kyiv and Moscow to stop attacking each other's energy infrastructure, making an energy ceasefire one of the main issues in peace talks.

US President Donald Trump is also seeking to demonstrate progress in resolving the war ahead of the US midterm congressional elections.

After their latest visit to Russia, Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner came away believing that an energy ceasefire is possible.

Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev visited the US twice in September for meetings with Witkoff and Kushner, where they discussed a possible halt to attacks on energy infrastructure. According to Ukrainian and US sources, during these meetings, Dmitriev told Trump's envoys that Russia wants sanctions relief as part of a deal. The Kyiv Independent notes that it is not clear exactly which sanctions Moscow wants lifted.

According to a European diplomat, Russia could be seeking the release of its frozen assets as part of the deal.

"If they get sanctioned funds released... the likelihood that these will be used to escalate (the war) is almost guaranteed... No one really thinks they are genuinely seeking to adhere to a ceasefire," the diplomat noted.

Background:

• Ukrainian negotiators will be in the US on 9 and 10 October for talks with the US side. Kyiv's European partners will join the Ukrainian negotiating team.
• Ahead of their meeting with Ukrainian negotiators and the Europeans, Witkoff and Kushner discussed the latest developments in efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine with Trump.
• Media reports have indicated that Witkoff and Kushner may visit Moscow with new proposals in late October.

Your support on Patreon helps us keep the news free and accessible.