Russia and Putin · Second term · № 128
Lifted sanctions on Russian oil at sea during the Iran war, then extended the waivers month by month
“Well, if there were some, I would do it just to take a little of the pressure off.”
- Said
- , Aboard Air Force One, asked about the Treasury's Russian oil waiver
- Subject
- Russian oil waivers
- Type
- Sanctions and pressure
- Topic
- Ukraine & Russia
- Era
- Second term
What happened
After the U.S. war with Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz and pushed Brent crude above $100, the Treasury on March 5, 2026 licensed the delivery and sale to India of Russian crude loaded on vessels as of that date, and on March 12 extended the authorization to any country for Russian oil in transit; a separate license lifted sanctions on Rosneft's German subsidiary. The waivers eased the Rosneft and Lukoil sanctions imposed in October 2025. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measure was 'deliberately short-term' and would not provide 'significant financial benefit' to Russia. Asked whether he was considering further moves, Trump said he would 'take a little of the pressure off.' Senator Jeanne Shaheen said the president was 'filling the Kremlin's war coffers' as Russia helped Iran target Americans. The waivers were extended by 30 days in April and again in May 2026; in June he said sanctions might be reimposed 'depending on how far the price of oil comes down.' The White House had also dropped the 25 percent Russian-oil tariff on India in February 2026.
Sources
- Remarks in an Exchange With Reporters Aboard Air Force One En Route to Miami, Florida
- U.S. Grants Temporary Waiver to Allow India to Buy Russian Oil as Iran War Jolts Energy Markets
- Oil prices stay high despite US temporarily lifting sanctions on Russian oil stranded at sea
- Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India and an Exchange With Reporters in Évian-les-Bains, France