WASHINGTON, April 19 (Alliance News) — The administration of Donald Trump has issued a one-month extension of a sanctions waiver, allowing countries to continue purchasing oil and petroleum products from Russia.
The announcement, made on April 17, reverses an earlier statement by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who had indicated just two days prior that the waiver would not be renewed.
The license, granted by the United States Department of the Treasury, permits transactions involving Russian oil transported on vessels until May 16. It replaces a previous 30-day waiver that expired on April 11.
The decision comes amid heightened volatility in global energy markets, driven by escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, as well as disruptions in oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
A Treasury spokesperson said the move aims to ensure that oil supplies remain available to countries facing shortages, particularly in Asia, where several nations are grappling with rising energy costs and supply constraints.
Despite this, the decision has drawn criticism from both major political parties in the United States, reflecting growing domestic debate over energy policy and sanctions enforcement.
