White House directs officials to draft proposal to lift US sanctions on Russia

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Mon 3 Mar 2025 14.52 EST
Last modified on Mon 3 Mar 2025 15.00 EST


The United States is drawing up a plan to potentially give Russia sanctions relief as Donald Trump seeks to restore ties with Moscow and stop the war in Ukraine, a US official and another person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The White House has asked the state and treasury departments to draft a list of sanctions that could be eased for US officials to discuss with Russian representatives in the coming days as part of the administration’s broad talks with Moscow on improving diplomatic and economic relations, the sources said.

The sanctions offices are now drawing up a proposal for lifting sanctions on select entities and individuals, including some Russian oligarchs, according to the sources.

So-called options papers are often drafted by officials working on sanctions, but the White House’s specific request for one in recent days underscores Trump and his advisers’ willingness to ease Russian sanctions as part of a potential deal with Moscow. It was not immediately clear what Washington could specifically seek in return for any sanctions relief.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/03/trump-sanctions-russia

[Irish_Dem]

1. Are we Russian citizens yet?

[Diraven]

2. My prediction

What they'll ask for in return is something that helps Trump but hurts our country.

[FakeNoose]

5. Sanctions were placed on Russian investments (or hidden bank accounts) to punish Putin

Last edited Tue Mar 4, 2025, 11:57 AM - Edit history (1)

... and the oligarchs when they invaded Ukraine. That was 3 years ago, and their money has been frozen by the US government all this time. The idea was that the oligarchs and Putin would get their money returned when they peacefully withdrew from Ukraine, but it never happened.

Now Pootie's puppet is making sure they get their money back anyway, without the withdrawal. So that's their reward right there. They don't get to ask for something else.

[LudwigPastorius]

22. What is left to give them?

They've got the White House, Congress, and the Supreme Court...our intelligence/military secrets...assistance in reestablishing the Russian Empire...etc.

[radicalleft]

30. Inerest on the frozen assets

Ya know...since it was our fault for freezing their money, we have to pay a vig...

[IronLionZion]

3. So blatant. Not even trying to hide it.

Maybe the plan is for Russia to invade more European countries while the US take Canada and Greenland and Panama.

[slightlv]

17. Don't leave out Mexico! Hating brown people like he does, it doesn't make any sense,

but there it is. I guess it's all the "cheap" labor... tho the closer to the border the factory is, the more in line with the U.S. are the wages.

[58Sunliner]

4. The baby rapers are going to get economic relief for their heinous crimes.

[sinkingfeeling]

6. Going all in for Putin. When do we change the country's name to Russia West?

[FirstLight]

7. Of course, this was coming all along...

Are we surprised?

You think Dems are still gonna play nice and not upset decorum tomorrow night? yeah, me too...

[Escape]

9. We better see some wild eyed radicalism tomorrow night by the DEMS...

. this is not the time to "show decorum".

[FirstLight]

13. Right?

You can't be a "statesman" when you're dealing with Mafia thugs

[slightlv]

18. The plans for the full coup are going swimmingly for trump, Miller, Musk, etc.

Take the U.S. to the lowest bar there is for our country's sovereignty and dignity. By that time, we'll be so tamed as a people Putin and trump will just issue an executive order declaring us part of the Russian Federation. And at least a full 1/3 of the American people will be clapping, smiling, and patting each other on the back for the good work their president's done.

[Harker]

8. Russia, Russia, Russia. n/t

[LudwigPastorius]

23. No puppet!

[Emrys]

10. If they're restricted to "entities" and individuals, the harm may be contained

It's highly likely that those are subject to sanctions from Ukraine's more neighbouring allies anyway, and they're highly unlikely to follow suit.

If they extend to items which will have economic benefits to Russia, that's a different matter, and cause for more immediate alarm.

Trump's focused on messaging to Putin and Russia. I think he's going to learn pretty soon that the messaging will be perceived differently by Ukraine's true allies, and they're not without clout.

[BeyondGeography]

11. Art of the deal

Wherein I sacrifice all leverage in order to get the least from you.

[Baitball Blogger]

12. For every penny that Congress approves, the EU should release its Russian money to Zelenskyy

[babylonsister]

14. My heart sinks every time I read a subject like that.

It's been sinking a lot lately. Something's gotta give.

[Buddyzbuddy]

15. Enemy of the State, more precisely, enemy of these United States of America.

I'm talking about the Felon that likes to hump our flag.
Anybody could have told you where we would be today. Our Country is in peril.
Now, what? I wrote some remedies that in hindsight, I thought I better not convey at this time. I'm sure some of you have the same thoughts. Don't risk expressing them here. They'll come after DU to get to you.
Be well my DU family.

[kacekwl]

16. Ok I originally wanted democrats to not attend trumps speech but

Now I want all of them to be there and as soon as ass mouth begins to speak all should ask the question to the Republican side are you ok with your party supporting Russia, Putin. and making policy like this that is clearly giving aid and comfort to the enemy. Demand an answer from them and then all get up and leave.

[FirstLight]

19. Literally, ANYTHING!

I'm tired of this pussy footing around the issues... Let's fucking go! 🤬🤬🤬

[AmericaUnderSiege]

20. A man for all treasons.

And I use the word "man" loosely, given the way his tail wags whenever the subject of Russia comes up.

[FakeNoose]

21. I prefer the term "Pootie's Puppet"

... but yours is good too!

[cstanleytech]

24. I have no problem with drawing plans to lift some of the sanctions as long as it's not done until Russia leaves Ukraine.

Some other sanctions however should remain in place on key people responsible for the war for life.

[moniss]

25. Of course. nt

[BoRaGard]

26. KGOP kissing pooty's ass

[Mr. Sparkle]

27. The ability to keep on been shocked everyday, is coming all too frequent now.

[BumRushDaShow]

28. I think the "shock"

is more that we are getting the confirmations of what we endlessly warned about and are now seeing it actually coming to fruition (despite the hope that it wouldn't - at least right away).

[Bayard]

29. What will the new name of our country be?

United Fascists? Trumpmerica? Russia Junior?