Trump Is Preparing New Sanctions Relief for Russia: Media Reports Reveal What It Will Be

Several Ukrainian and American officials familiar with the situation told the Kyiv Independent about this.

What sanctions relief against Russia might Trump consider?

Ukrainian officials fear that the U.S. administration may consider a deal related to Russian fertilizer production.

The U.S. has not directly imposed sanctions on Russian fertilizer production nor banned its import. However, a potential deal could involve easing restrictions on ships, companies, banks, and individuals associated with this sector.

Russia has long been seeking to ease restrictions that affect its agricultural exports.

Moscow claims that barriers in the areas of banking, insurance, and maritime transport are limiting its access to international markets.

Russia repeatedly raised this issue during negotiations on the Black Sea Grain Initiative in 2022. At the same time, Western governments emphasized that Russian exports of food and fertilizers are not directly subject to sanctions.

“The fertilizer issue has been going on for a long time, and the Russians tried to push this issue many years ago,” a Ukrainian intelligence official told the Kyiv Independent.

According to him, Russia has consistently lobbied for the easing of restrictions on fertilizer trade during its contacts with the Americans and Europeans.

He also noted that Moscow withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative due to a lack of progress on this issue.

In July 2023, Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, stating that its demands were not being properly met.

Now, Ukrainian officials speculate that Washington may make concessions to Moscow on an issue that Russia has been trying to resolve for many years.

Recall that earlier, Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the diesel deal between Trump and Putin. He also speculated that the lifting of sanctions against Russia would continue.

In his view, the easing of restrictions beyond the energy sector will inevitably spread to other critical areas. “I am absolutely certain of this. Sanctions will be lifted after gas, and then on other things. It will eventually reach the banking system, individuals, and the chemical industry,” the president noted.