Kremlin claims 'shared interests' with US over sanctions
Photo: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov (Getty Images)
Russia has unexpectedly found "shared interests" with the United States, meaning the temporary lifting of sanctions on Russian oil on tankers, reports Russian media, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
What Peskov said
"In this case, we see the actions of the United States — an attempt to stabilize energy markets," he said.
Peskov clarified that the US said the exemption applies only to oil loaded before March 12, and that it does not plan to lift oil sanctions on Russia further.
"So at the moment, situationally, our interests do indeed coincide, and that is how we assess it," Peskov added.
What the US decided
On March 12, the United States lifted restrictions for 30 days on the purchase of Russian oil and petroleum products transported by sea.
License terms:
- The delivery and sale of oil loaded onto vessels as of March 12 is allowed
- The license is valid until midnight on April 11, Washington time.
Russia plans to re-register about 80 oil tankers of the shadow fleet under its own flag. Intelligence has already warned of a threat to the West.
Ukrainian intelligence says that Moscow is resorting to such a step due to increasingly frequent detentions of vessels carrying Russian oil in circumvention of sanctions.
A sanctioned entity of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping plans to inspect and re-register tankers that are currently listed under companies from the Seychelles, China, Azerbaijan, and Samoa.
According to intelligence estimates, vessels under the Russian flag may be used for reconnaissance and sabotage activities against Western countries — primarily in the Baltic Sea, through which more than 40% of Russia's seaborne oil exports pass.
Meanwhile, Iran, in response to US attacks, is threatening to create an "oil inferno" in the Middle East. But the Iranian regime did not say what exactly it is preparing.
