🇷🇺 Russia Demands Sanctions Relief for Energy Truce

Russia requires the US to lift sanctions in exchange for an energy ceasefire with Ukraine, The Kiev Independent reports. Moscow also links this initiative to halting fire in the Black Sea.

Negotiations Intensify

US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Trump Thursday to review proposals ahead of Friday talks in Miami with Ukrainian and European officials. The two-day meeting aims to break the conflict deadlock. A senior EU diplomat suggested Russia seeks release of frozen assets.

Ukraine Under Pressure

Kiev faces daily power outages due to intensified Russian strikes on energy infrastructure, including mass blackouts following shelling on October 8. Ukrainian officials note that Moscow escalates demands each time negotiations begin, now explicitly seeking sanctions removal.

@Slavyangrad