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The US President-elect’s advisers are reportedly considering easing restrictions on Russian energy depending on how Ukraine peace talks go
Advisers to US President-elect Donald Trump are developing a strategy to push Russia-Ukraine peace talks which could involve easing sanctions on Moscow, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with Trump’s plans.
Last week, incumbent US President Joe Biden unveiled a “sweeping” new round of sanctions on Moscow, targeting two major Russian petroleum producers, Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz, associated entities, as well as 183 vessels involved in transporting Russian crude oil. These new measures have already caused world oil prices to surge; Brent futures have gained almost $5 per barrel since they were announced.
Bloomberg’s sources have claimed that the incoming US president’s team is currently considering two main approaches to future sanctions.
In the first scenario, if Washington sees that the Ukraine conflict could soon be resolved, limited sanctions relief may be granted to Russian oil companies as a gesture of good faith. The other option, however, is to take a more aggressive stance by intensifying restrictions in a bid to put more pressure on Moscow and increase US leverage in negotiations.
According to the outlet, the easing of sanctions on Moscow could include raising the ceiling on Russian oil prices above the current limit of $60 per barrel. Meanwhile, tougher restrictions could involve strengthening secondary sanctions or measures against ships that allegedly transport oil from Russia.
Bloomberg’s sources noted that these plans are still in their early stages and depend on how Trump himself chooses to proceed.
Moscow has vehemently condemned Biden’s last round of sanctions, calling them “illegal,” with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warning that they could destabilize global energy markets. Responding to Washington’s move, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also suggested that the outgoing president’s legacy would be defined by the “mess” he leaves behind.
Meanwhile, Trump has said that a meeting between him and Russian President Vladimir Putin is currently being set up. with Moscow also expressing an openness to negotiations with the future US leader.
