US weighs extending Russian oil exemptions to stabilize global markets
Photo: Trump to allow purchases of Russian oil (Getty Images)
The administration of US President Donald Trump is planning to extend special exemptions allowing the purchase of Russian oil, according to Reuters.
Reasons for extending the exemptions
According to the report, the US Treasury Department may officially announce the extension of sanctions relief as early as this Friday.
The current authorization, which allows the purchase of certain volumes of Russian oil and petroleum products, has been in effect since mid-March and is set to expire on April 11.
Sources familiar with the matter say Washington is trying to soften the shock to the energy market. The move is aimed at stabilizing global energy prices amid the war involving the United States and Israel against Iran.
Military actions against Iran pose a risk of fuel shortages and sharp price spikes, making control over energy costs a priority for the White House.
Putin's envoy’s visit to the US
It was previously reported that a special envoy of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Kirill Dmitriev, arrived in the United States for talks with the team of the American President.
According to sources, the main topics of the meetings include discussions on a possible peace deal regarding Ukraine, as well as the restoration of economic cooperation between Washington and Moscow. The visit coincides with the deadline for reviewing oil sanctions, set for April 11.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that there are currently no grounds for easing sanctions pressure on Russia, as this would only encourage further aggression by the Kremlin.
