U.S. temporarily suspends sanctions for activities linked to the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury has temporarily lifted a narrow set of financial transaction sanctions on Russia, effective immediately and expiring on August 20, 2025. The authorization, referred to as GL 125, is aimed at facilitating the U.S.-Russia summit scheduled for this Friday in Anchorage, Alaska.
The permit does not guarantee the success or outcome of the summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, nor does it affect any other sanctions or restrictions imposed on Russia. The sanctions lift is specifically tailored to allow payments and transactions necessary to support the summit itself, including costs associated with venue, transportation, and logistical arrangements.
The authorization applies to U.S.-based persons and entities involved in the summit's logistics, venue, and transportation. It falls under the Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR Part 587) and the Ukraine-/Russia-Related Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR Part 589). The measure is narrowly tailored not to lift broader sanctions but to ensure all practical needs for the summit can be met without violating existing sanctions compliance requirements.
The summit, held on August 15, 2025, at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, focused mainly on the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. The talks ended without an agreement, and concerns were expressed by European and Ukrainian leaders about possible concessions that might impact Ukraine's sovereignty.
It is important to note that the temporary authorization does not unlock or release any blocked or frozen property, nor does it imply a change in the U.S. policy towards Russia. European leaders have urged Trump to impose a ceasefire ahead of the meeting between Trump and Putin, expressing concerns about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In summary, the temporary sanction relief is limited strictly to transactions "ordinarily incident and necessary" for the summit administration and support. It is valid from the time of issuance until August 20, 2025, and applies only to U.S.-based persons and entities involved in the summit's logistics, venue, and transportation. The broader U.S. sanctions on Russia related to the Ukraine conflict remain in place.
[1] Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, General License No. 125, available at https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/20210818_gl125.pdf
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