The United States has temporarily lifted certain sanctions on Russian transactions to facilitate historic peace talks in Alaska between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 15. The move, authorized by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, allows specific transactions otherwise banned under Russia-related sanctions—strictly for organizing the summit.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky may join follow-up discussions, with Trump expected to push Putin toward a Ukraine ceasefire. Reports suggest Trump will offer an economic package including access to Alaska’s natural resources, easing aviation sanctions, and rare earth mineral rights in occupied Ukrainian territories. The temporary authorization expires Aug. 20, with the White House calling the meeting a “listening exercise” and a potential breakthrough.
