Russia Seeks Sanctions Relief From Weakened Trump Without Ending Ukraine War

Russia plans to use a weakened Donald Trump after the US midterm elections to push for sanctions relief without ending its war in Ukraine, Bloomberg reported, citing a source close to the Kremlin. Moscow aims to convince Trump that the US and Russia can do business together without a prior ceasefire. The report notes Trump and Vladimir Putin had already reached a deal on Russian diesel supplies to the US before the elections. Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have pushed Putin on negotiations, highlighting potential business deals, including a plan for Russia to resume gas supplies to Europe via an American intermediary. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia delayed talks until after the elections to avoid new sanctions and assess its negotiating partners. Analysts believe a weakened Trump may push Putin to intensify attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure to force capitulation, as the Kremlin doubts Trump can secure a deal on Russian terms.