Russia demands sanctions relief in exchange for energy truce with Ukraine — media
Russia has presented the United States with a demand to ease sanctions as part of talks on a possible cessation of strikes on the energy infrastructure of Ukraine and Russia. Moscow also wants to link the energy truce with agreements on the safety of shipping in the Black Sea. Ukraine is opposed to giving Russia economic concessions in exchange for a temporary halt to attacks.
Kyiv Independent reported this on October 9, citing American and Ukrainian officials familiar with the course of the negotiations.
According to the publication, Russian representative Kirill Dmitriev, during two trips to the United States in September, discussed a possible energy truce with President Donald Trump's special representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
During these contacts, the Russian side raised the issue of canceling or easing part of the American sanctions as a condition for a future agreement.
Which specific restrictions Moscow's demands relate to is currently unknown. Ukrainian officials confirmed to journalists the existence of such a condition, but noted that they have not received a detailed list.
Moscow is trying to expand the scope of the talks
Washington is promoting the idea of a mutual cessation of strikes by Ukraine and Russia on energy facilities. The American administration is also considering the possibility of agreements on the safety of maritime transport in the Black Sea.
According to Kyiv Independent, Russia wants to link these initiatives together and achieve additional economic concessions.
At the same time, the Kremlin's public position differs from the signals Moscow is sending to American negotiators.
On October 8, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia sees no point in discussing a separate cessation of strikes on energy facilities without a broader settlement of the war.
However, according to the publication's sources, during closed consultations Russian representatives allowed the possibility of such a deal.
Ukraine does not agree to economic concessions to Russia
The Ukrainian side insists that a cessation of strikes on energy infrastructure must be mutual and must not provide additional benefits for Moscow.
Kyiv Independent's interlocutors in diplomatic circles fear that Russia is trying to use the negotiations to obtain concessions while continuing military pressure on Ukraine.
In particular, Russian troops have intensified strikes on Ukrainian power plants and main networks ahead of the winter season. After the attacks of October 8-9, emergency and scheduled power outages were introduced in Kyiv and several regions.
One Ukrainian official familiar with the talks suggested that Moscow is trying to inflict maximum damage on the energy system before a possible agreement in order to strengthen its own negotiating position.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on October 8 that Kyiv is aware of the economic contacts between Washington and Moscow, but refused to publicly reveal their details.
Ukrainian delegation to discuss Russia's demands in the US
Moscow's new conditions are expected to be one of the topics of talks between the Ukrainian delegation and American representatives on October 9-10.
The Ukrainian group includes Chief of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Foreign Intelligence Service Rustem Umerov, First Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Serhiy Kyslytsya, and head of the parliamentary faction "Servant of the People" David Arakhamia.
As Axios reports, in Miami Witkoff and Kushner plan to present updated proposals for ending the war to Ukrainian and European partners. Among the possible agreements is a mutual refusal to strike energy facilities and measures to ensure maritime shipping.
The Ukrainian delegation will also seek to find out which sanctions Russia proposes to lift and whether the Kremlin is ready to stop attacks without additional concessions.
So far, no final agreement has been reached. Kyiv hopes that consultations with the US will help prepare the next round of talks with the participation of representatives of Ukraine, Russia, and the United States.
Based on materials from: Kyiv Independent, Axios, Ukrinform
