As tensions between Russia and the West persist, President Vladimir Putin is testing how far US President Donald Trump would go in pushing Europe to ease sanctions on Moscow. According to a Bloomberg report, the Kremlin is seeking the reconnection of a major Russian state bank to the SWIFT international payment system as part of negotiations over a ceasefire in the Black Sea region.
This request is seen as a strategic move to gauge Trump’s willingness to intervene on Russia’s behalf and influence European allies. While Trump has yet to publicly address the matter, his past remarks about reconsidering US support for Ukraine and NATO have raised concerns in European capitals about potential shifts in Washington’s stance.
The European Union has maintained strict financial sanctions on Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, cutting multiple Russian banks off from SWIFT to restrict Moscow’s access to global financial networks. However, the Kremlin appears to be testing whether a new geopolitical landscape under Trump could create room for maneuvering.
Bloomberg’s report highlights the stakes involved in this negotiation, as Western unity on sanctions remains a critical factor in the ongoing conflict. The Kremlin’s approach suggests that Moscow is assessing whether Trump’s leadership could work in its favor.
For now, European leaders remain firm on their stance against Russia, but with Trump’s policies still unfolding, Moscow is closely watching Washington’s next moves.
