President Donald Trump's administration has informed the Russian embassy in Washington that the US has no immediate plans to impose new sanctions, Russian news agencies say.
Relations between Moscow and Washington are in focus after the United States imposed fresh sanctions on Russia in early April, triggering a massive sell-off on Russian markets and raising global geopolitical tensions to a new level.
"I can confirm that the United States has informed the Russian embassy that there will be no new sanctions for now," TASS cited a source in the Russian foreign ministry as saying.
Interfax, TASS and RIA agencies published similar reports at the same time, citing one source at the Russian foreign ministry.
Interfax said the Russian embassy in Washington received a letter from the Trump administration, while RIA said it was a notification.
The reports moved the market, helping the rouble pair losses, and echoed previous statements by a senior US administration official on Monday that Mr Trump had delayed imposing fresh penalties.
This official said Mr Trump was concerned that immediately imposing more sanctions, on the heels of last weekend's US-led strike against Russian-backed Assad, would interfere with his efforts to negotiate agreements with Russian President Vladimir Putin on combating Islamic extremism, policing the internet and other issues.
The United States on April 6 imposed sanctions against Russian entities and individuals to punish Moscow for its alleged meddling in the 2016 US election and what the US Treasury Department dubbed other "malign activity".
Russia denies any interference in the US election.
In retaliation, Russian MPs proposed a wide range of measures to the US sanctions last week, including banning US-made software and alcohol.
A decision on Russia's counter-measures has been postponed until mid-May.
Reuters
