Russia demands sanctions lifted in exchange for energy ceasefire with Ukraine

Russia has put forward a condition to the United States for concluding an energy ceasefire with Ukraine — the lifting of sanctions.

This was reported by the Kyiv Independent, citing American and Ukrainian sources.

The condition was voiced by Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev during a visit to the United States in September. Which specific sanctions Moscow wants lifted remains unclear, the outlet notes.

A European diplomat suggested that Russia wants access to its frozen assets.

According to the Kyiv Independent, after their most recent trip to Russia, U.S. President’s special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner “returned with the impression that an energy ceasefire is possible.” The issue is expected to be one of the topics of discussion between Kyiv and Washington.

A spokesperson for Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense stated that Moscow is currently trying to inflict as much damage as possible on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in order to gain leverage ahead of possible negotiations.

“Every time negotiations begin, they put forward more and more demands. Now the question of lifting sanctions has come up,” the Ukrainian official said.

The Kremlin has publicly stated the lifting of sanctions as a condition for an energy ceasefire.