U.S. Reportedly Considering Easing Russia Energy Sanctions if Moscow Agrees to End Ukraine War

The U.S. government is considering ways to ease sanctions on Russia’s energy sector as part of a broader plan to facilitate swift relief if Moscow agrees to end the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported on March 7.

According to Reuters, The White House has asked the Treasury Department to examine options for modifying energy-related restrictions ahead of expected talks between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The review is aimed at ensuring Washington can respond quickly if a peace deal is reached, though officials emphasized that any sanctions relief would be conditional on Russian concessions.

This initiative is part of a wider reassessment of U.S. sanctions policy on Russia, which could also involve lifting restrictions on select entities and individuals. Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, the U.S. has implemented multiple sanctions packages targeting energy, finance, and defense sectors.

Trump has stated that he plans to meet with Putin in Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks to negotiate a resolution to the Ukraine war. Analysts suggest that adjustments to energy sanctions could play a key role in any potential agreement.

The report says that at the same time, Trump has raised the prospect of imposing additional large-scale sanctions on Russia, calling for both sides to focus on peace negotiations. His remarks came after a Russian strike on Ukraine’s energy and gas infrastructure, marking the first such attack since the U.S. paused military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

On March 7, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is currently engaged in its most intensive discussions yet with U.S. President Donald Trump’s team, aiming for a swift and lasting peace.