US won’t ease sanctions against Russia in exchange for grain exports from Ukraine

The US authorities won’t support an agreement to unblock Ukrainian grain exports if they involve easing sanctions against Russia, Report informs referring to Politico.

The UN is trying to negotiate with Russia so that Ukraine can resume grain exports through the Black Sea.

One US official described Moscow’s pitch as “extortion diplomacy” and said the US wouldn’t agree to a deal that lifted any economic pressure on the Kremlin.

Republicans on Capitol Hill have bristled at the Russian calls for sanctions relief as well. Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho, the top Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, said in an interview that Moscow’s demand for sanctions relief in exchange for lifting their Black Sea blockade amounts to “blackmail.”