Russia demands US lift sanctions in exchange for energy truce – The Kyiv Independent
Russia has demanded sanctions relief from the US as part of negotiations on a possible energy truce with Ukraine.
This was reported by The Kyiv Independent, citing US and Ukrainian officials familiar with the negotiations, Censor.NET reports.
What is known?
"These demands come amid intensifying Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. A senior Ukrainian defense official said Moscow is trying to inflict as much damage as possible to gain leverage ahead of potential negotiations," the article reads.
Publicly, Moscow is signaling its reluctance to agree to an energy truce. On October 8, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Russia saw no point in talks on a partial ceasefire.
Privately, however, Russian officials have indicated that Moscow is willing to consider the initiative.
President Donald Trump also wants to demonstrate progress in resolving the war in Ukraine ahead of the US midterm elections, several Ukrainian officials said.
In September, Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev visited the US twice for meetings with Witkoff and Kushner. During the talks, they discussed a possible halt to attacks on energy infrastructure.
According to Ukrainian and US officials briefed on the meetings, Dmitriev told the American representatives that Russia wanted sanctions relief as part of an agreement.
It is currently unclear which sanctions Moscow wants lifted.
Frozen assets
A European diplomat familiar with the situation said Russia could seek the release of frozen Russian funds as part of the agreement.
"If they gain access to funds frozen under sanctions, it is almost guaranteed that they will use them to escalate (the war). No one really believes they sincerely intend to observe a ceasefire," he said.
Ukrainian officials familiar with the negotiations confirmed that Russia was demanding sanctions relief but said they did not know which restrictions Moscow wanted lifted.
Kyiv and Washington will discuss the issue.
A Ukrainian delegation is due to meet Trump's representatives in the US on October 9 to discuss proposals for an energy truce and a ceasefire in the Black Sea.
The Ukrainian side is expected to receive information about US talks with Russia and request clarification of Moscow's demands for sanctions relief.
"Every time negotiations begin, they make more and more demands. Now this demand to lift sanctions has emerged," said a Ukrainian official familiar with the negotiations.
"Ukraine opposes Russia receiving economic benefits in exchange for an energy truce. Kyiv's position is that a halt to attacks on energy infrastructure must be mutual: both sides must stop strikes, and Russia should receive no additional concessions for agreeing to a pause," the authors concluded.
