Fact Check: "The U.S. is essentially lifting sanctions on Russia."
What We Know
The claim that the U.S. is lifting sanctions on Russia has some basis in recent developments. Since President Trump took office in January 2025, the U.S. has not imposed any new sanctions against Russia related to its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, and in some instances, existing restrictions have been eased (source-1). Analysts have noted that without new sanctions, the effectiveness of existing measures diminishes, allowing for the emergence of new companies that can supply Russia with restricted goods, including military components (source-1).
The Biden administration had previously imposed a significant number of sanctions—over 6,200 blocks on individuals and entities linked to Russia from 2022 to 2024 (source-1). However, the current administration appears to be considering a review of existing sanctions, with reports indicating that the White House has asked the State and Treasury departments to draft a list of sanctions that could potentially be eased (source-2).
Analysis
The assertion that the U.S. is "lifting" sanctions on Russia is somewhat misleading. While it is true that no new sanctions have been imposed and some restrictions have been eased, the situation is complex. The proposed bipartisan Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 aims to introduce extensive new sanctions in response to ongoing Russian aggression, indicating a significant portion of Congress still supports stringent measures against Russia (source-3).
Furthermore, reports indicate that Trump’s administration has been criticized for its leniency towards Russia, with some lawmakers expressing concern that the lack of new sanctions undermines the broader Western effort to confront Russian actions (source-1). The easing of sanctions has also raised alarms about the potential for increased Russian military capabilities, as companies outside of U.S. jurisdiction have begun to fill the gaps left by sanctions (source-1).
The credibility of the sources is generally high, with major news outlets and governmental reports providing the information. However, the political context and the motivations behind the actions of the Trump administration should be considered, as they may influence the framing of the situation.
Conclusion
The claim that "the U.S. is essentially lifting sanctions on Russia" is Partially True. While it is accurate that no new sanctions have been imposed and some restrictions have been eased, significant legislative efforts are underway to impose new sanctions, reflecting ongoing tensions and concerns regarding Russian aggression. The overall picture is one of a complex and evolving situation rather than a straightforward lifting of sanctions.
Sources
- Lack of New U.S. Sanctions Allows Restricted Goods and ... New York Times
- White House seeks plan for possible Russia sanctions relief ... Reuters
- Sanctioning Russia Act - Wikipedia Wikipedia
- Trump envoy Steve Witkoff pushing to lift energy sanctions ... Kyiv Independent
- Trump's pause on Russia sanctions under investigation by ... Kyiv Independent
- How Easily Could Trump Lift U.S. Sanctions on Russia? Carnegie Endowment
- Did Trump just lift sanctions on Russia? Ukraine responds MSN
- US Lifts Sanctions, Clearing Path for Russia's Nuclear ... United24 Media