Trump team explains easing Russia sanctions, citing requests from poor countries
Photo: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (Getty Images)
The administration of US President Donald Trump has extended a sanctions exemption that allows the sale of Russian oil, The New York Times reports.
According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the decision was made after appeals from more than ten poor countries during last week’s spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
Earlier, Bessent had said the sanctions exemption would not be extended. However, late last week, the US Treasury changed its position.
As a result, it was decided to extend the waiver for another 30 days, allowing continued sales of Russian oil.
Easing of sanctions against Russia
The permit to purchase limited volumes of Russian oil and petroleum products had been in effect since mid-March and expired on April 11.
US officials had been considering whether to extend it. The move is aimed at stabilizing global energy prices amid the war between the United States and Israel and Iran.
At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said there are no grounds for easing sanctions on Russia, arguing that such decisions effectively help finance the war.
