In the document signed on February 18, it is emphasized that "the actions and policies of [the Russian authorities] continue to pose a serious threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States".
This decision was made despite ongoing trilateral negotiations to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, in which the U.S. plays a mediating role.
Additionally, on February 17, The Economist published an article about the "greatest deal" that Russia allegedly offered to the U.S. in exchange for lifting sanctions. The discussion of the agreement involved the special representative of the President of the Russian Federation, Kirill Dmitriev, and the special envoy of the President of the United States, Steve Witkoff. Dmitriev denied the information from The Economist, calling it a "fake leak".
