Washington is considering expanding economic ties with Moscow before the Ukraine conflict comes to an end. US officials are discussing the possibility of new business agreements with Russia, The New York Times reported, citing sources.

According to an unnamed American official, such deals could demonstrate that Washington is serious about resetting relations with Moscow. The newspaper did not specify which projects or agreements could be involved.

Sources described the idea as part of a new US approach to resolving the Ukraine conflict. Against this backdrop, President Donald Trump said on Thursday, September 17, that American diplomats were working to bring the fighting to an end and expressed confidence that a settlement could be reached soon.

Washington stepped up its diplomatic activity earlier this month. On September 5, Trump representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks in the Kremlin. The following day, they traveled to Kiev for a meeting with Vladimir Zelensky. The White House officially confirmed both trips.

Moscow and Washington gave the contacts positive assessments, while a possible return to trilateral negotiations involving the United States was discussed among the next steps. Associated Press also reported that the consultations were viewed as constructive and aimed at restarting direct negotiations.

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov earlier said Putin supported Trump’s push for constructive partnership. During a phone conversation, the Russian president also outlined steps Washington could take that, in his view, would help move the conflict toward an end.