Trump opens door to Russia deal that could enrage even his own GOP allies

U.S. President Donald Trump with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S., August 15, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

President Donald Trump has supported a plan that involves giving Russia some sanctions relief in return for the release of political prisoners, a move that could cause his administration to be at odds with Ukraine, the European governments and certain Republicans in Congress.

According to a report by The Atlantic, the initiative was put forward by John Coale, Trump's envoy to Eastern Europe, and it’s still in its early phases. Coale said to the magazine that he mentioned the idea to Trump following their talks about the release of prisoners, including Russian journalist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Dmitry Muratov, and that the president had then agreed for him to go ahead with it.

According to the proposal, Moscow would set free dissidents, journalists and other prisoners, while Washington could reply by relaxing a number of its economic restrictions. In Belarus, Coale has previously employed a similar strategy, whereby U.S. negotiations led to the release of hundreds of prisoners as Washington waived some of its sanctions and looked into trade agreements.

As Coale told The Atlantic, “All this stuff works toward the possibility of peace. The more interaction, the more trade-offs — either economic, prisoners, or whatever — leads step by step toward, hopefully, peace.”

The proposal follows by only a few weeks on the back of Trump signing legislation that authorizes tougher sanctions against Russia and countries that are carrying on major economic transactions with Moscow. According to Reuters, the law permits tariffs of up to 100 per cent to be applied to imports from countries that maintain significant trade with Russia or Iran.

Some lawmakers have urged Trump to impose greater costs on Moscow over the war in Ukraine, and therefore a shift towards sanctions relief could lead to tension within Trump's own party, especially if Russia has not agreed to a cease-fire.

Republicans, such as Sen. Mitch McConnell, have argued for tougher actions against Russia, while all but seven House GOP members backed the sanctions Trump signed last month.

Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine's president, has also stated that sanctions should not be relaxed before the fighting is over. Speaking to The Atlantic, he said that he would attempt to “block” such a decision and cautioned the United Nations that greater trade with Russia could provide Moscow with more resources to keep the war going.

“When someone gives Russia more money through trade, they give this war more time,” Zelensky said.

The White House stated that Trump was still focused on arriving at a settlement. According to an official speaking to The Atlantic, the President and his team are firmly committed to carrying on a constructive role in bringing about an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Coale's suggestion could also open the way for renewed business relations between the United States and Russia in the areas of energy, minerals and other commodities. The basis of his approach is the belief that economic engagement can reduce tensions and provide incentives for peace.

Ukraine, together with a number of European officials, has adopted the contrary view, stating that the sanctions should stay in place as long as Russia carries on its military campaign.

From Your Site Articles