Ex-US Ambassador Says Now Is the Wrong Time to Ease Russia Sanctions
In an interview with Kyiv Post, former US Ambassador Steven Pifer said easing Russia sanctions would give Moscow more money for war as its position on Ukraine remains unchanged.
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WASHINGTON, DC – Former US Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer says Vladimir Putin is not helping defuse the crisis around Iran – and any move by Washington to ease pressure on Moscow would only strengthen Russia at Ukraine’s expense.
In an interview with Kyiv Post, Pifer said the Kremlin stands to gain from the regional conflict through higher oil prices and the diversion of US military resources away from Ukraine. At the same time, he said, there is no sign Moscow has softened its position on the war against Ukraine.
Pifer rejected the idea that Putin could play a constructive role in the Middle East crisis.
“If the United States and Iran want to talk, they already have an established channel by Oman,” he said. “They don’t need a Russian channel.”
He suggested that if US intelligence reports are correct and Russia is providing intelligence to Iran that could help it better target American forces, it would pose a danger to the US.
“That to my mind is not helpful,” Pifer said.
He added that while the issue may be awkward to raise directly in a conversation between Trump and Putin – since Moscow would likely point to US intelligence support for Ukraine – that does not change the broader conclusion.
“Putin very much regards the United States as an adversary and is working to undermine American interests,” he said.
Washington has taken a restrained tone towards Russia so far, with Trump saying President Vladimir Putin wanted to be “helpful” on the Middle East in a call on Monday.
Pifer said Russia could be one of the biggest beneficiaries if the United States eases oil sanctions.
“I think Russia is the country that would benefit most, and it comes at the wrong time,” he said.
He noted that Russian oil revenues had fallen sharply in December and January. That had put pressure on Moscow’s budget and limited the funds available for the war against Ukraine.
Easing sanctions now, he argued, would hand the Kremlin relief just as higher oil prices are already improving its position.
“If we are to ease those sanctions and allow Russia to take advantage, it’s going to be more money for Moscow,” Pifer said. “And they will have more funds to use in supporting the war.”
One minus, two pluses for Russia
Pifer said the war involving Iran exposes one weakness for Russia: Moscow again looks unable to protect a partner under pressure.
“The war against Iran has one big minus but two big pluses” for Russia, he said.
He pointed to Syria, saying Moscow ultimately did not save Bashar al-Assad despite years of backing him.
Still, Pifer said the Kremlin sees two clear gains: higher oil prices and the diversion of US-made air defense systems and interceptors away from Ukraine.
From Moscow’s perspective, he suggested, those gains may outweigh the embarrassment of again appearing unable to rescue a partner.
The US should be doing the opposite
Turning to Ukraine, Pifer said he has been skeptical for months that current negotiations will produce meaningful progress.
He argued that Ukraine has shown some flexibility.
That includes facing the painful reality that some Ukrainian territory may remain under Russian control for the time being – but only if credible security guarantees are in place.
“I think Ukrainian negotiators have indicated a readiness to consider making what would be a very painful decision for Ukrainians,” he said.
By contrast, there has been no significant movement from Moscow, he said. In his view, the demands voiced by Russian officials this year are essentially the same as those put forward by Putin in the summer of 2024.
“And so, I don’t see these negotiations producing real movement towards actually ending the war in a way that might produce a just, enduring peace,” Pifer said.
That, he argued, is exactly why Washington should not be easing pressure on Russia.
Until Putin concludes that he cannot achieve his objectives on the battlefield – and that continuing the war will only impose greater economic, political, and military costs on Russia – there is little reason to expect serious negotiations, Pifer said.
Sevinj Osmanqizi is a journalist covering US foreign policy, security, and geopolitics, with a focus on the broader post-Soviet space. She reports on Washington’s decision-making and its implications for Ukraine and regional stability.
