The U.S. Government is Considering a Plan to 'Reduce Sanctions Against Russia'

The U.S. government is working on a plan to 'reduce sanctions against Russia' as part of efforts to restore relations with Moscow and halt the war in Ukraine. According to a report from Reuters on Tuesday, March 14, the White House has asked the State and Treasury Departments to provide a list of sanctions against Russia that could be reduced for upcoming negotiations with Russian officials. Senior representatives from the U.S. and Russia are expected to meet soon to improve diplomatic and economic relations after recent meetings in Riyadh and Istanbul. An American official and a source familiar with the matter told Reuters that the sanctions offices in the State and Treasury Departments are preparing a proposal to lift sanctions against certain officials and other wealthy Russians. The White House, State and Treasury Departments, as well as the Russian embassy in Washington, have yet to respond to Reuters' report. Russia is one of the largest oil producers in the world, and if U.S. sanctions on Russia's energy sector are reduced, it could help prevent a global rise in fuel prices while the Trump administration is trying to reduce Iranian oil exports. The Democratic administration of Joe Biden imposed strict sanctions on Moscow to punish Russia for its renewed invasion of Ukraine three years ago, which has recently entered its fourth year. Russian energy companies and ships transporting its oil have been targets of harsh U.S. sanctions. Just days before leaving office, Joe Biden expanded sanctions against Russia. Washington's sanctions against Moscow in the past three years aimed to limit Russia's revenues from its major oil and gas industries and reduce its ability to finance its war campaign. Donald Trump threatened to expand sanctions against Russia if Putin was not willing to negotiate to end the war in Ukraine upon his return to the White House. Scott Basset, Treasury Secretary under Trump, said two weeks ago that Russia could be an 'economic winner' depending on its approach in negotiations. Trump, who promised a quick end to the war in Ukraine, initiated discussions between senior U.S. and Russian officials first in Riyadh and then in Istanbul through his phone negotiations with Vladimir Putin. John Smith, former head of the Office of Foreign Assets Control at the Treasury Department, stated that Trump could allow the process of reducing some sanctions against Russia to begin through an executive order, but the repeal of some sanctions would require congressional approval. According to Reuters, it is unclear what demands the U.S. will have from Moscow in exchange for reducing sanctions, however, Russia has stated it is ready for economic cooperation with the U.S. Trump sought to finalize a deal on rare minerals in Ukraine as a repayment for U.S. assistance to the country in its defense against Russia, but no agreement was signed following his unsuccessful meeting last Friday at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The report from Reuters regarding the White House's considerations for reducing sanctions against Russia coincides with reports about the 'suspension' of U.S. military aid to Ukraine. On Monday, Trump called on Americans via his social media platform Truth to worry less about Putin and focus more on illegal immigration to prevent their country from facing 'the fate of Europe.' Trump also mentioned last week during the unveiling of a $5 million 'golden card' plan for granting residency in the U.S. with the prospect of citizenship to attract wealthy individuals to live in America, create jobs, and reduce U.S. debt that wealthy Russians could also benefit from this plan. He stated that he knows 'very good' people among these Russian oligarchs.