Shannon Buchart 🇨🇦🍁 (@sgbab.bsky.social)

Russia seeks ceasefire and partial sanctions relief from U.S., raising concerns in Ukraine Russian officials are reportedly in talks with American negotiators about the possibility of a ceasefire in the war with Ukraine, seeking a partial lifting of sanctions in return. However, such a deal is unlikely to satisfy Kyiv, according to a well-informed source in the Ukrainian government cited by RBC-Ukraine . “They (the Russians) are looking to propose a ceasefire and possibly negotiate a week-long truce in exchange for some sanctions relief. For Washington, this would mean headlines about a lull in fighting, while for President Putin, it would bring a partial reduction in sanctions and substantial financial gains. Essentially, it's a ‘trade’-sanctions relief with no security guarantees-that Ukrainians find unacceptable,” the source said. Such discussions are reportedly linked to the upcoming U.S. congressional elections. Similar scenarios have played out before. The U.S. previously eased some sanctions against Belarus, especially those related to the potash industry, after Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko released a group of political prisoners. On March 10, Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would lift certain sanctions to help lower oil prices. As news broke that the U.S. temporarily eased sanctions on Russian seaborne oil, global markets reacted immediately. Brent crude plunged below $100 a barrel. Focus examined why Washington made the move, how it could impact Russia’s revenue, and the potential risks for Ukraine. Later, Washington assured its G7 partners that the sanctions relief against Russia would be temporary. The U.S. maintains that allowing India to buy Russian oil would not significantly bolster the Kremlin’s finances. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has said that the interests of Russia and the U.S. coincide when it comes to stabilizing global energy markets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that by selling oil, Russia could generate an additional $10 billion to spend on the war in Ukraine. https://www.uawire.org/russia-seeks-ceasefire-and-partial-sanctions-relief-from-u-s-raising-concerns-in-ukraine