The West may need to rethink sanctions on Russia as part of a lasting Ukraine peace deal, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested during a press conference in Riyadh. He emphasized that any resolution must involve compromises from all sides and hinted at the potential for renewed US-Russian economic ties once the conflict ends.
Rubio, joined by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and special envoy Steve Witkoff, met with Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in Saudi Arabia. Both sides described the discussions as constructive, covering diplomatic relations and conflict resolution.
While sanctions relief wasn’t directly addressed with Russia, Rubio acknowledged it would have to be part of the broader peace process. He stressed that any changes would also require coordination with European allies, as the EU has its own set of restrictions on Moscow.
The Trump administration, he said, aims for a resolution that is “fair, enduring, and acceptable to all parties.” He also highlighted the potential for “historic” US-Russia economic cooperation if hostilities end on mutually agreeable terms.
Since 2021, US and EU sanctions have hit Russia hard, but they’ve also cost American businesses an estimated $300 billion in lost opportunities. If peace talks progress, Washington may seek ways to rebuild economic ties while addressing global security concerns.
