President Donald Trump has granted a 30-day exemption allowing nations to purchase sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products currently stuck at sea, aiming to ease the supply shortage caused by the conflict in Iran.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent acknowledged it was “unfortunate” that this move might help Russia, but he clarified that it was a necessary step to stabilize global energy markets as prices continue to climb.
Washington is preparing to release 172 million barrels of oil from its strategic petroleum reserve, contributing to a broader 400-million-barrel release pledged by the 32-nation International Energy Agency, IEA.
Presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev noted that the waiver would involve approximately 100 million barrels of Russian crude, while also criticizing European officials for their opposition to the U.S. strategy.
Dmitriev shared on Telegram that further loosening of restrictions on Russian energy supplies “appears increasingly inevitable, despite resistance from some Brussels bureaucrats.”
Roman Sheremeta, an economics professor at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, described the U.S. decision as “a backstabbing of Ukraine,” especially after Kyiv agreed to assist America and its allies in countering Iranian drones.
Sheremeta argued that instead of supporting Ukraine, Trump has provided “a lifeline” to the Russian economy and billions for its military. “It means more missiles; more drones,” he posted on LinkedIn.
According to Alexander Kirk, a Sanctions Campaigner at Urgewald, Russia has already generated billions from fossil fuel exports since the attacks on Iran started.
“Every time sanctions are weakened when energy prices rise, the message to the Kremlin is clear: wait long enough and the West will blink,” Kirk stated.
Activists cautioned that permitting more Russian oil into the market will “refill the Kremlin’s war chest, undermining US foreign policy and weakening European security”.
