2026-09-29 21:54:13Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

The administration of United States President Donald Trump is pursuing a new diplomatic initiative that could offer Russia sanctions relief in exchange for the release of political prisoners.

According to The Atlantic, the proposal could also create a path toward restoring economic ties between the United States and Russia, even as the war in Ukraine continues.

The plan was drafted by Trump's envoy for Eastern Europe, John Coale, who pitched the idea to the US president several months ago. Trump has reportedly approved the initiative, which remains in its early stages.

Under the proposed scheme, the Kremlin would release political prisoners, while Washington would respond by easing some of the sanctions on the Russian economy.

Such an agreement could also open the possibility for American business deals involving Russian oil and diesel fuel, rare earth minerals and other goods.

Coale has previously pursued a similar strategy with Belarus, Russia's closest ally.

According to reports, negotiations with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko led to the release of about 500 political prisoners, including several American citizens.

In return, Washington eased some sanctions on Belarus and pursued the possibility of a deal on potash, one of the country's most valuable exports.

The initiative against Moscow comes just days after the United States significantly expanded economic measures against Russia.

On September 18, Trump signed legislation imposing broad sanctions on Russia's energy, defense, and shipping sectors.

The law provides for secondary economic measures against third-country entities and gives the US president the authority to impose tariffs on countries that continue to purchase Russian energy exports.

Thus, the new diplomatic initiative would develop in parallel with one of the largest recent expansions of American economic pressure on Moscow.


Video