The United States has temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil exports, allowing certain shipments that were loaded before March 12, 2026, to reach global markets.
The US Department of the Treasury issued a limited license permitting the sale, delivery and unloading of Russian oil and petroleum products already loaded onto vessels before the deadline. The authorization will remain in effect until April 11, 2026.
The temporary waiver also allows a range of essential maritime services needed to complete the deliveries. These include vessel management, insurance coverage, bunkering services, ship registration, pilotage and other logistical operations required to transport and discharge the cargo.
Officials clarified that the license applies strictly to oil shipments loaded before the March 12 cut-off date and does not extend to new transactions involving Russian crude.
The measure also excludes any dealings involving Iranian oil exports.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the decision was intended as a short-term measure to prevent disruptions in global energy markets and to limit the risk of sharp increases in oil prices.
Energy analysts say the move could unlock the delivery of millions of barrels of Russian oil that had been left stranded in the global supply chain due to tightening sanctions.
The decision comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions and ongoing disruptions in global energy supply, factors that have raised concerns about potential volatility in fuel prices across international markets.
