Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP; AP Photo/Evan Vucci
The US administration is considering the possibility of lifting oil sanctions imposed against Russia in order to compensate for the shortage of energy resources on world markets due to the war in the Middle East.
After a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the American leader told reporters: “We have imposed sanctions against some countries. We will lift these sanctions until the Strait of Hormuz is opened.” Trump called the conversation with Putin very good.
On March 9, Putin held a meeting in the Kremlin on the situation on the world oil and gas markets. He expressed his readiness to supply oil to the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, Hungary and Slovakia. “Russia is ready to cooperate with European companies if they ensure long-term and stable joint work without political considerations,” he added.
It should be noted that on March 6, the US Treasury Department temporarily relaxed the sanctions regime, allowing India to purchase Russian oil, which is currently on tankers stuck at sea.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the 30-day exemption is intended to maintain uninterrupted supply to the global market and “reduce the pressure caused by Iran’s attempts to take the world’s energy supply hostage.”
Bessent added that this is a purely short-term measure that “will not bring tangible financial benefits to the Russian government,” since it applies only to oil already at sea.