On October 9, it emerged that Russia is demanding sanctions relief from the United States as part of talks on a possible halt to strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Moscow is also seeking to link an energy ceasefire to agreements on a ceasefire in the Black Sea.
This was reported by the Kyiv Independent, citing U.S. and Ukrainian officials familiar with the talks.
According to the publication, the Kremlin is publicly showing little willingness to agree to a sectoral ceasefire. On October 8, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow saw no point in negotiating such a truce.
At the same time, in private contacts Russian representatives have indicated that they are ready to consider the initiative, but are putting forward additional conditions.
Among them is sanctions relief. It is not yet known which specific restrictions Russia wants lifted.
One European diplomat familiar with the matter suggested that Moscow could be seeking the release of frozen Russian assets.
U.S. pushes for an energy ceasefire
Washington has recently been urging Kyiv and Moscow to stop mutual strikes on energy infrastructure. The issue has become one of the key elements in renewed U.S. efforts to advance the negotiation process.
After their latest trip to Russia, Donald Trump’s envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner concluded, according to the Kyiv Independent, that an agreement on an energy ceasefire may be possible.
In September, Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev visited the United States twice and met with Witkoff and Kushner. According to the publication’s sources, it was during these contacts that he raised the issue of sanctions relief.
Kyiv opposes additional concessions to Moscow
Ukrainian officials confirmed to the publication that Russia is demanding sanctions relief, although they do not know which specific restrictions are being discussed.
Kyiv opposes Moscow receiving economic benefits in exchange for stopping attacks on energy infrastructure. Ukraine’s position is that such an agreement should be reciprocal: both sides halt strikes without additional concessions to Russia.
One Ukrainian official noted that Moscow puts forward additional demands at each new stage of negotiations.
Ukrainian delegation to discuss the issue in the U.S.
On October 9, a Ukrainian delegation is expected to hold meetings in the United States with representatives of Donald Trump. The agenda includes a possible energy ceasefire and a ceasefire in the Black Sea.
The Ukrainian representatives are expected to receive information on the latest U.S.-Russia talks and seek clarification on Moscow’s sanctions demands.
On October 8, Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine “knows a lot” about economic talks between the United States and Russia, but is not yet ready to disclose the details publicly.
Kyiv also hopes that the current contacts will eventually lead to a trilateral meeting between representatives of Ukraine, the United States and Russia.
