As Congress passes Russia sanctions, Trump weighs business deals with Moscow before the war ends

The Trump administration is weighing business deals with Russia even before the war in Ukraine ends, two sources close to the negotiations told The New York Times. One of the sources said such deals could show that the United States is serious about a “reset” in relations with Russia.

Since Trump began his second term, Russian officials have floated several cooperation options for Washington, including joint projects in the Arctic, development of rare earth metals, and aluminum production.

Washington had previously ruled out economic deals with Moscow before the war’s end. A year ago, during talks in Anchorage, possible energy projects were discussed, though Trump had said even before that meeting that he would not do business until “we get the war settled.” The current approach would mark a shift from Trump’s earlier stance, according to the Times.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress passed a bill on September 16 imposing what have been dubbed “sanctions from hell“ against Russia. The legislation calls for new restrictions on Russian officials, businessmen, energy projects, and the shadow fleet, along with 100% tariffs on the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas. Trump still has to sign the bill, and WSJ reports he intends to do so.

The Kremlin warned the new sanctions would complicate peace talks. China and India, the largest buyers of Russian oil, also opposed the bill’s passage. Beijing stated that China’s trade relations should not be subject to “interference or coercion” from third countries, while Indian authorities promised to take “all necessary measures” to protect their interests.

The bill leaves the final call on imposing the 100% tariffs to the U.S. president. Trump, who often favors a “carrot-and-stick” approach, tends to prefer the “carrot” when it comes to Russia, the NYT writes.

Balázs Jarábik, a former European Union diplomat in Kyiv, told the NYT that the United States apparently is “considering bigger concessions toward Russia.” He said that while Washington had previously refused to agree to such deals before a ceasefire, it now does not rule out moving ahead with some of them if Moscow first demonstrates “concrete restraint.”

The war in photos. Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.

Russian forces struck a shopping mall in Zaporizhzhia overnight on September 18. The building burned to the ground by morning, and one person was injured.