The US and sanctions against Russia: Russian banks may be reconnected to SWIFT.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the potential reconnection of Russian banks to the SWIFT international banking system will depend on future actions by Russian authorities. Commenting on the conditions proposed by Russia for a truce in the Black Sea, Bessent emphasized that all of Russia’s demands are “under review.”

“Whether the sanctions will be strengthened or weakened depends on the further actions of the Russian leadership. President Donald Trump, in my view, will not hesitate to strengthen the sanctions if this gives him an advantage in the negotiations,” the US Treasury Secretary stressed.

In turn, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted that Russia’s conditions for a ceasefire agreement in the Black Sea include the lifting of European sanctions.

“Therefore, we are currently gathering information. We will analyze the proposals to better understand what exactly Russia wants in exchange for a truce,” Rubio noted.

Meanwhile, the EU has stated that it does not plan to ease Russian sanctions at the Kremlin’s request or allow Russian banks to reconnect to SWIFT.