Russia may discuss with the US the option of partially easing sanctions in exchange for a short-term ceasefire with Ukraine.
The editorial office, citing RBC-Ukraine, reports that an informed source in the Ukrainian government stated that Moscow could use a possible temporary ceasefire as an argument for the easing of a part of Western sanctions.
According to the source's claim, it could be about a short-term ceasefire model without real security guarantees for Ukraine. Kyiv considers such an approach risky, as this format could provide Russia with a military pause, diplomatic advantage, and economic concession.
The main concern of the Ukrainian side is that the ceasefire turns not into lasting peace, but into sanction concessions for individual Russian companies or banks. In this case, Moscow, without stopping the war, could weaken financial and trade restrictions simply by promising temporary calm.
RBC-Ukraine writes that the Kremlin may try to present a possible ceasefire as a “bargaining chip”. In such a scenario, Russia stops fighting for a short period, and in return tries to obtain certain sanction easing from the US or the West.
The problem for Kyiv is that a ceasefire without security guarantees could give Russia time to rearm, regroup its troops, and prepare for the next offensive. Ukrainian and European officials have also previously stated that any ceasefire can only make sense with monitoring, an enforcement mechanism, and guarantees preventing a renewed attack.
According to AP, Vladimir Putin had previously proposed the idea of a short-term ceasefire related to May 9th Victory Day to Donald Trump. Volodymyr Zelensky, however, had stated that he wanted to clarify whether this proposal had a real peace objective or was merely a ceremonial pause.
G7 countries have also emphasized in their previous statements that a ceasefire should not be merely an agreement on paper. They warned Russia that if a ceasefire agreement is not reached or not fulfilled, new sanctions could be on the agenda.
This background explains why Kyiv is acting cautiously. The main danger for Ukraine is that the easing of sanctions occurs before a real cessation of hostilities. Such a step could allow Russia to catch an economic breath but may not change Ukraine's security situation.
Current information is not an official agreement, but a diplomatic scenario based on sources. Neither Washington nor Moscow has openly confirmed such a deal. Therefore, the issue should currently be regarded as a possible line of negotiation.
The main conclusion is this: if a ceasefire is accompanied by sanction easing without security guarantees, monitoring, and an automatic sanction mechanism for violations, this could appear not as peace for Ukraine, but as a strategic pause granted to Russia.