US floats Russian asset freeze relief to jumpstart Ukraine peace talks

The United States has proposed easing sanctions restrictions on Russian assets as a possible inducement to restart peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, according to reports emerging from diplomatic circles. The initiative was presented by Steve Witkoff, US special envoy, and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, as a potential breakthrough mechanism to revive stalled talks on the conflict.

European delegates have firmly rejected the proposal, signaling resistance within the Western alliance to any relief of economic pressures on Moscow. The rebuff underscores the divisions between Washington and its European counterparts over the terms and conditions for resuming diplomatic engagement on Ukraine.

The move reflects the Trump administration's focus on securing a negotiated settlement to the conflict, which has persisted since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. However, the European response suggests that any agreement on easing sanctions would face significant headwinds from key allies who view such measures as premature or counterproductive to Ukrainian interests.

The proposal comes amid ongoing international efforts to broker dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv, with various parties exploring different diplomatic avenues. The rejection by European officials indicates that consensus among Western powers on incentive structures for peace remains elusive, and any sanctions relief would require broad agreement among allied nations.