US President Donald Trump has backed a proposal by his special envoy to Eastern Europe, John Coale, to ease some sanctions against Moscow in exchange for the release of political prisoners in Russia, The Atlantic said, APA reports.
The goals also include restoring economic ties with Russia and pursuing potential business deals with Moscow involving oil, diesel fuel and rare earth minerals.
The publication notes that Coale has applied a similar approach in Belarus, and following the release of a significant number of prisoners, the US eased some sanctions against the Belarusian authorities.