Economics

Russian Hopes of Sanctions Relief Fade Amid Ukraine Deadlock

  • Russia's `desperate' to ease economic penalties, analyst says
  • Political splits make Ukraine unable to enforce peace deal

More than 9,000 people have died and several million fled their homes during nearly two years of fighting in eastern Ukraine that sparked the worst crisis between Russia and its former Cold War adversaries since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Photographer: Antolii Stepanov/AFP via Getty Images
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When it comes to sanctions relief for Russia, the last step might be the most difficult.

After the U.S. and Europe dangled the prospect of an easing of sanctions for the first time last month, the political deadlock in Ukraine and renewed tensions over Syria are dousing expectations of a breakthrough.