The Atlantic reports months ago Trump’s special envoy for Eastern Europe
proposed a plan to break the U.S.-Russia impasse: Russia would free some
political prisoners in return for U.S. relaxation of economic sanctions. Trump
has agreed to advance the early-stage, previously unreported proposal. The plan
aims to reintegrate Russia into the global economy and broaden talks beyond
Ukraine. Discussions reportedly include potential commercial cooperation in oil,
diesel, rare earths and other commodities. Last week Trump said the U.S. is
negotiating a "large" potash deal with Belarus, with Russia involved in talks;
if concluded, the transaction would be among the few U.S.-Russia trade
exceptions since the Russia-Ukraine war began.
