The Kyiv Independent: Russia wants sanctions lifted in exchange for halting strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure
Russian authorities have asked the United States to lift sanctions as part of talks on an “energy ceasefire,” The Kyiv Independent reported, citing Ukrainian and American sources. Russian officials are also trying to link sanctions relief to a ceasefire in the Black Sea, according to the outlet’s sources.
Ukrainian officials familiar with the talks said they did not know exactly which sanctions Moscow wants lifted. A European diplomatic source said separately that the issue could involve returning control of frozen assets to Russia.
If Russia gains access to the funds, he stressed, “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 outlet’s source stressed.
Ukrainian authorities insist the energy ceasefire must be mutual and that Russia should receive no preferences in exchange for halting the strikes.
Reports that Moscow is seeking sanctions relief in exchange for halting strikes on Ukraine’s energy system emerged as Russian attacks intensified. The Kyiv Independent said Russian authorities may be trying to secure a stronger negotiating position in the talks.
U.S. President Donald Trump said September 14 that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop striking each other’s energy infrastructure. Mutual strikes continued anyway.
According to Axios, Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to present the Ukrainian delegation with “new ideas and proposals” for ending the war during talks in the United States on October 9. By the end of the month, the outlet said, they plan to travel to Russia to discuss the “new ideas” with Russian leadership. The outlet did not specify what the proposals entail.
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