Kremlin: Trump’s sanctions won’t improve US-Russia ties or Ukraine peace

The Kremlin has declared that the sanctions bill signed by U.S. President Donald Trump will not lead to better relations between the U.S. and Russia, nor will it promote peace in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This announcement comes as the U.S. targets key Russian sectors such as energy, defense, and banking with new measures. The Kremlin’s statement suggests skepticism regarding the potential for diplomatic progress, particularly in light of the active conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has persisted since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Market participants appear to interpret this development as reducing the likelihood of a ceasefire agreement being reached by the end of the year. As a result, there has been a noticeable decrease in the odds for a formal ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine by December 31, 2026, which currently stands at 20.5%. This follows a drop from 22% over the past week, reflecting a consistent lack of progress in peace negotiations. The ongoing geopolitical tensions and the imposition of further sanctions appear to underscore the challenges in finding a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, with market pricing suggesting skeptici...