The U.S. is considering lifting sanctions on Russia, with Rubio clarifying the conditions under which this could happen, according to Bloomberg.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, following discussions in Saudi Arabia with a Russian delegation, suggested the possibility of lifting certain economic sanctions on Russia after the conclusion of the war in Ukraine. This statement has raised concerns among European leaders; however, Rubio assured that sanctions would not be lifted until a peace agreement is signed, writes Bloomberg citing its own sources.

According to unnamed sources familiar with the situation, on February 18, Marco Rubio informed European colleagues that sanctions against Russia would remain in place, despite President Donald Trump's remarks about a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin by the end of February.

There are worries that Trump might "seek economic opportunities" to negotiate with Russia in order to end the war as quickly as possible, said Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a former senior intelligence official who is now the director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security.

Journalists note that the ongoing tightening of sanctions against Russia, affecting its central bank, major energy companies, and high-ranking officials, has been fundamental in the Western allies' opposition to the Kremlin regime. A decision to prematurely lift restrictions could undermine efforts made to deprive Moscow of funding for the war.

A State Department representative declined to comment on the matter. The State Department's report on Rubio's conversation with European allies regarding sanctions does not mention this issue, but it notes that the U.S. and Russia "agreed to stay in close contact as they work towards achieving a final resolution to the conflict in Ukraine."

"The Russians will undoubtedly demand the lifting of all sanctions as part of a ceasefire," said Daniel Fried, a former senior U.S. sanctions official, to reporters.

He stated that such a move would be imprudent on the part of the Trump administration, as once sanctions are lifted, the Russians would not adhere to the ceasefire.

"Since when have the Russians adhered to any conditions regarding anything in Ukraine?" noted Daniel Fried.

Recall that on February 18, during a meeting in Riyadh, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed to establish negotiating groups regarding the war in Ukraine.