The US extended the sanctions exemption for Russian offshore oil: what is known
19.05.2026 - 10:27
The US Treasury Department has decided to extend the sanctions exemption for Russian oil transported by sea for another month.
This was reported by Reuters, citing sources.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant on Monday, May 18, announced another 30-day extension of the sanctions exemption, which allows the purchase of Russian oil transported by sea, in order to help “energy-vulnerable” countries affected by the war with Iran, thereby abandoning previous plans not to extend the exemption.
The decision was made after several countries asked for more time to purchase Russian oil, a source familiar with the plan said on Monday.
In particular, it is known that the exemption will be valid for another 30 days – until June 17.
Vladyslav Vlasyuk, the presidential representative of Ukraine for sanctions policy, also commented on the US decision.
“Unlike previous versions of general licenses, the new document does not provide for an update of the deadline for loading oil onto tankers – operations with Russian oil and oil products loaded before April 17 are allowed,” Vlasyuk noted.
Read also: Russia’s oil export revenues increased after the lifting of US sanctions.
