US preparing plan to ease sanctions on Russia – Reuters

According to the media outlet's sources, the White House has asked the State Department and the Treasury Department to compile a list of sanctions that could be eased. This list will be discussed with Russian officials in the coming days as part of negotiations with Moscow to improve diplomatic and economic relations.

Reuters sources specify that sanctions authorities are now preparing a proposal to lift restrictions on certain legal entities and individuals, including some Russian oligarchs.

Journalists note that this request from the White House highlights Trump and his advisers' willingness to ease Russian sanctions as part of a potential deal with Moscow.

The sources claim that the White House requested the list of possible sanctions relief even before US President Donald Trump extended sanctions against Russia for another year last week.

John Smith, a partner at the law firm Morrison Foerster and former head of the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, noted that Trump could issue an executive order allowing his administration to begin easing some sanctions against Russia. However, lifting restrictions on specific organizations would also require congressional approval.

Lifting sanctions on Russia

Earlier, the Financial Times reported that the EU fears a possible US decision to lift sanctions against Russia, which could be made by Donald Trump.

At the same time, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently emphasized that it is too early to talk about potentially lifting sanctions on Russia.

In her view, such discussions should only take place when Russia demonstrates through its actions that it genuinely seeks peace with Ukraine.