Trump agreed to ease sanctions against Russia in exchange for the release of political prisoners

Trump agreed to ease sanctions against Russia in exchange for the release of political prisoners — The Atlantic

Donald Trump approved the idea of easing sanctions against Russia in exchange for the release of political prisoners, The Atlantic writes.

According to journalist Simon Shuster, the scheme was proposed by special envoy John Cole, who secured the release of political prisoners in Belarus in exchange for sanctions relief.

Cole's plan regarding Moscow is at an early stage and is aimed at breaking the deadlock in negotiations between Russia and the United States, Shuster writes.

Cole believes such deals promote peace, since “economic ties usually lead to normalization.” Ukraine does not share that optimism: President Volodymyr Zelensky told The Atlantic's journalist that he would do everything possible to “block” any attempt to lift sanctions on Russia before the war ends.

Cole was urged to apply the Belarusian experience in negotiations with the Kremlin by Dmitry Muratov, the former editor-in-chief of Novaya Gazeta and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who asked Shuster to introduce him to the president's special envoy.

@meduzalive