This is a move that could significantly impact the global economic and political situation, especially in the context of ongoing negotiations on Ukraine.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that Washington is discussing the possibility of lifting a number of sanctions against Moscow, including restoring SWIFT access to the Russian Agricultural Bank (Rosselkhozbank) and financial institutions related to food and fertilizer exports.
Leave everything on the table. But it is too early to discuss the specific conditions before reaching an agreement, Bessent told Fox News.
Mr. Bessent emphasized that the final decision will depend on Russia's next moves: " prededicate Donald Trump will not hesitate to increase sanctions if that gives him a negotiating advantage."
Russia was promised to reconnect with SWIFT under the Black Sea grain export agreement brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in 2022. However, the West has failed to fulfill this commitment, causing Moscow to refuse to extend the deal in 2023.
Recently, the US and Russia have agreed to restore the Black Sea agreement after 12 hours of tense negotiations in Saudi Arabia. President Trump confirmed that Washington is reviewing five or six conditions regarding the sanctions.
However, the European Union (EU) remains a tough stance. European Commission spokeswoman Anitta Hipper said the EU would not lift or adjust the sanctions unless Russia pulled all its forces out of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the sanctions are not temporary measures but a strategic tool to put pressure on Moscow. Russia has faced a total of 28,595 sanctions, more than any other country combined, he said.
However, President Putin affirmed that this has helped the Russian economy develop more strongly, promoting autonomy and reducing dependence on the West.
The US's consideration of reopening SWIFT to Russia could be a step to promote negotiations on Ukraine, or simply a negotiation strategy of the US President Donald Trump administration. However, this is still a move that can strongly impact the international economic and political situation in the coming time.
