The Atlantic: Trump backs plan to ease Russia sanctions in exchange for political prisoners without waiting for the Ukraine war to end

President Trump has approved a proposal to ease Russia sanctions in exchange for releasing political prisoners, without waiting for the war in Ukraine to end, The Atlantic reports. The plan, from special envoy John Coale, mirrors a Belarus deal that freed roughly 500 political prisoners in exchange for sanctions relief, and Coale argues economic ties 'usually result in normality.'

The plan would let Vladimir Putin show diplomatic goodwill without halting strikes on Ukraine, in exchange for sanctions relief and renewed trade. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told The Atlantic he would try to 'block' any effort to lift Russia sanctions before the war ends, while Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya warned the approach could simply encourage more hostage-taking.

Coale and former Novaya Gazeta editor Dmitry Muratov have compiled lists of American and Russian prisoners for potential future negotiations, though no names or specific U.S. concessions have been disclosed.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.