The U.S. proposed that Russia discuss business deals before the end of the war in Ukraine, although earlier the restoration of economic ties in Washington was allowed only as a “reward” for ending hostilities. This is reported by The New York Times, citing informed sources, noting that the White House is thereby moving away from its previous line.
The Moscow Times, citing The New York Times, пишет that Washington now allows economic projects with Russia before the war in Ukraine ends. Earlier, such ties were considered only as a “reward” for stopping hostilities.
According to an American official, economic projects before the end of the war could show the seriousness of the U.S. intentions to “reset” relations with Moscow. A representative of the U.S. administration added that the White House wants to create additional incentives to encourage Russian elites to seek peace.
The same official said that deals before the war ends could convince anti-American “hawks” in Vladimir Putin’s circle that Donald Trump is truly seeking to build new relations with Russia. NYT notes that Trump’s team likely changed course after talks on the possible withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the part of Donbas still under Kyiv’s control reached an impasse.
Trump previously called Russia’s economic opportunities “huge”, but before meeting with Putin in Alaska last year he said business deals were possible only after the war was settled. A former EU diplomat in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and now an employee of the political analysis agency R. Politik, Balazs Jarabik believes that the U.S. is considering the possibility of larger concessions to Russia, and some agreements may advance if Moscow shows restraint in Ukraine.
It is unclear which specific deals are being discussed between Russia and the U.S. Presidential aide to the Russian Federation Yuri Ushakov, after Vladimir Putin’s meeting with Trump’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, said that economic topics and possible major mutually beneficial Russian-American projects were discussed in detail.
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