On October 19, 2026, it became known about the intentions of the US to further ease sanctions against Russia, raising concerns among Ukrainian officials. In particular, this includes the possibility of lifting restrictions on Russian tankers and gas, as well as on certain companies and individuals.
Sanction Easing: What We Know
According to sources, the US is considering lifting sanctions against Russia for 60 days to assess the outcomes of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that this pause in sanctions aims to determine whether negotiations can yield positive results.
- Possible lifting of restrictions on Russian tankers.
- Easing of sanctions on gas.
- Discussion of control over frozen Russian assets.
Ukraine's Reaction to Possible Changes
Sources from RBK-Ukraine within the Ukrainian government expressed concern about such actions by the US. They emphasize that the US demand for withdrawal from the Donbas without concrete proposals in return may lead to new territorial claims from Russia. In particular, there are fears that the next demands will involve the territories of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
Russian Military Plans
According to reports, the Russian command continues to plan advances not only in the east but also in the south of Ukraine. Specifically, the focus is on the direction of Zaporizhzhia. At the same time, experts believe that achieving these goals within the specified timeframe is unlikely due to the lack of desired results on the front. In this regard, Moscow is increasingly betting on strikes against the Ukrainian rear, trying to destabilize the situation within the country.