US to adjust Russia sanctions depending on Ukraine deal

The US Treasury Secretary revealed that Washington could strengthen or ease sanctions on Russia depending on Moscow's readiness to negotiate on the war in Ukraine.

In an interview with Bloomberg on February 20, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US could adjust sanctions against Russia to strengthen or loosen them, depending on the developments in negotiations on the Ukraine conflict.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says sanctions on Russia could be adjusted depending on the negotiation situation.

"The sequence of what's going to happen is to bring the Ukrainians closer to the United States through economic ties, convince the Americans to support them. Then get the Russians to the negotiating table with a very clear message that if we need to, we will increase sanctions. The United States, with its greater economic interests in Ukraine, will provide a security shield," said Minister Bessent.

Mr Bessent said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had assured him before last week's Munich Security Conference that Kyiv would sign a $500 billion deal to hand over control of Ukraine's minerals to the US but had not yet signed it.

US President Donald Trump has previously criticized Ukraine for treating Mr. Bessent badly when the minister visited Kyiv recently and was denied a mineral deal. The US leader also called Mr. Zelensky a "dictator" for not accepting the election. Mr. Zelensky has criticized the US and Russia for negotiating behind Ukraine's back and said Mr. Trump lives in a space of disinformation, according to Reuters.

Secretary Bessent called Mr. Zelensky's remarks inappropriate and damaging to US-Ukraine relations.

White House national security adviser Mike Waltz on February 20 also called on Kyiv to "tone down" its criticism of President Trump, "carefully consider and sign the agreement" on minerals.

In an interview with Fox News, Mr. Waltz said that Ukraine's withdrawal of the mineral agreement and President Trump's response to peaceful dialogue were unacceptable, especially after what the US had done for Ukraine.

Still, Mr Waltz said the differences between the two countries were not irreconcilable and "the president also said how much he loves the Ukrainian people".

Regarding Ukraine and Europe being left out of the talks, Mr. Waltz denied and said the US was implementing a strategy of "shuttle diplomacy ". "Because bringing everyone to the table at the same time has not worked in the past. So we work with one side, then we work with the other side and we will have a process under the direction and leadership of President Trump," Mr. Waltz said.

US Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg is visiting Kyiv amid tense relations between the two sides. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on February 20 that he had spoken with Mr. Kellogg about how to achieve a just and lasting peace.

Mr Sybiha affirmed that Ukraine is ready to achieve peace through strength and presented Kyiv’s vision of the necessary steps. He also stressed to Mr Kellogg that Ukraine’s security and transatlantic security are indivisible. Mr Kellogg will meet with President Zelensky on February 20.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/my-se-dieu-chinh-lenh-cam-van-nga-tuy-theo-thoa-thuan-ukraine-185250220213642512.htm