Trump weighing easing Russia sanctions if Kremlin frees political prisoners, The Atlantic reports

US President Donald Trump is considering easing American sanctions on the Russian economy in exchange for the Kremlin freeing some political prisoners, The Atlantic reported on Tuesday (29 September).

The initiative was proposed “a few months ago” by Trump’s envoy to Eastern Europe, John Coale, and “Trump signed on,” according to the report. The plan is “still in its early stages,” The Atlantic said.

It would aim to reintegrate Russia into the global economy, broaden Trump’s talks with the Kremlin beyond the Ukraine war, and open a path for US deals involving Russian oil, diesel, rare earth minerals and other commodities. The releases could also, as a bonus, bolster Trump’s case for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The approach “is likely to outrage the Ukrainians, Europeans, and even many of Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill,” the report said, because any US-Russia business deal risks funnelling money to the Russian military. Earlier in September, Trump signed a law co-authored by the late senator Lindsey Graham authorizing the president to “impose severe sanctions on Russia and its trading partners.”

Coale was formerly Trump’s envoy to Belarus, where talks with Alexander Lukashenko freed hundreds of political prisoners in exchange for eased sanctions and a promise to buy potash fertilizer. Trump gave Coale his “blessing” to do the same with Putin.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during his UN General Assembly visit to New York that he would try his best to “block” any lifting of sanctions before the war ends, but conceded “it’s difficult.”

Sources

• The Jerusalem Post (reporting The Atlantic), “Donald Trump weighs easing Russia sanctions if Kremlin frees political prisoners”: https://www.jpost.com/international/internationalrussia-ukraine-war/article-910096