WASHINGTON

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday signaled that easing sanctions on Russia could be considered as part of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.

Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg, Bessent outlined the US approach, saying the initial step was to strengthen Ukraine’s economic ties with Washington while garnering public support at home.

"The sequencing of what was going to happen was: bring the Ukrainians closer to the US through economic ties, convince the American people, the American public, get them onside," he said. "And then tell the Russians, go to the negotiating table with a very fulsome message that if we need to, we will take sanctions up."

"The US, with greater economic interest in Ukraine, provides a security shield," he said.

When asked whether US sanctions on Russia could either be ramped up or eased depending on how negotiations progress, Bessent responded: "I think that'd be a very good characterization."

"The president is committed to ending this conflict very quickly," he added.