U.S. — NYT: Trump Weighs Trade Deal With Putin Before the End of the War

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 /ATSH-ANSA/ — The White House is considering reaching economic agreements with Russia before the end of the war in Ukraine, the New York Times reports, citing two sources close to the talks.

According to the American newspaper, the new approach would mark a shift from the strategy followed so far, under which economic and military pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin would force him to compromise.

The U.S. administration is considering the possibility of using economic cooperation as one of the instruments to advance negotiations and signal to the harsher circles in Moscow that President Donald Trump aims to establish new relations with Russia.

According to the NYT, potential agreements could include the energy sector, investments and other fields where American and Russian companies could resume cooperation, regardless of whether a full peace agreement for Ukraine has been reached.

However, there is no unanimous position within the U.S. administration on the pace at which such agreements should advance. Some officials argue that offering economic incentives to Russia before the end of the war could weaken pressure on the Kremlin.

Any significant economic agreement would also be tied to the U.S. sanctions regime against Russia. Some restrictions remain in force, while Congress has proposed additional measures aimed at increasing pressure on Russia’s energy sector and the Kremlin’s sources of revenue.