The United States has extended for another 30 days a sanctions waiver permitting certain purchases of Russian seaborne oil to support “energy-vulnerable” countries, according to Scott Bessent.
Bessent said the US Department of the Treasury issued a new general license after the previous waiver expired on Saturday, Reuters reported.
The temporary extension allows access to Russian oil and petroleum products currently stranded on tankers without breaching US sanctions imposed on major Russian energy companies.
The waiver is designed to help countries heavily dependent on imported energy supplies avoid sudden disruptions that could worsen fuel shortages, inflation pressures, and economic instability.
The US and its allies have imposed extensive sanctions on Russia’s energy sector since the start of the Ukraine conflict, targeting oil exports, shipping, and financial transactions linked to Russian crude.
However, Washington has periodically introduced limited exemptions and waivers to balance geopolitical pressure on Moscow with broader concerns about global energy market stability and supply security.
Analysts said the extension reflects ongoing concerns about volatility in global oil markets, particularly amid rising geopolitical tensions and tightening energy supply conditions.
Energy markets have remained highly sensitive to disruptions involving Russian exports, given Russia’s position as one of the world’s largest oil producers and exporters.
The latest waiver comes as oil prices continue to fluctuate amid concerns over Middle East tensions, shipping routes, and broader global supply risks.
