U.S. Treasury chief admits changes in sanctions against Russia

Washington is ready to both soften sanctions against Moscow and tighten them - the decisions will depend on the course of negotiations between the two countries. This was stated by the head of the U.S. Treasury Department Scott Bessent on February 20 on Bloomberg TV.

The ministers asked whether the United States was considering both possibilities - both easing and strengthening restrictions against Russian Federation - based on the negotiating situation.

"I think that's a good description", Bessent replied.

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Earlier in the day, the head of Russia's Central Bank (CBR), Elvira Nabiullina , denied that the regulator was allegedly involved in talks on lifting economic sanctions and unfreezing foreign exchange reserves.

The day before, on February 19, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Economic Relations of Hungary, Peter Szijjarto, said that the government of this European country was going to discuss the lifting of anti-Russian restrictions with the U.S. administration. He emphasized that these restrictions harm the economic interests of Budapest and threaten its energy supply.

On 18 February, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointed out that if the conflict in Ukraine is resolved, Western countries will be forced to lift anti-Russian sanctions: it is necessary for all sides to make concessions.