In the official document signed on February 18, it is stated that the actions of the Russian authorities continue to pose a serious threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.
Thus, despite ongoing trilateral negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine, in which Washington plays a mediating role, the sanctions remain in effect.
Additionally, on February 17, The Economist published an article about an alleged "greatest deal" that Russia supposedly offered to the USA in exchange for lifting the sanctions. According to journalists, the negotiations involved Russia's special representative Kirill Dmitriev and the U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff. However, Dmitriev characterized this publication as a "fake leak."
