US Renews Russian Oil Waiver After Pressure From Countries

The Trump administration on Friday renewed a waiver allowing countries ‌to buy sanctioned Russian oil at sea for about a month, even as lawmakers accused the government of going easy on Moscow as its war on Ukraine grinds on. 

The Treasury Department's waiver lets countries purchase Russian oil and petroleum products loaded on vessels as of Friday through May 16.

It replaces a 30-day waiver that expired on April 11 and excludes transactions involving ​Iran,



Cuba and North Korea.

The move is part of the administration's effort to control global energy prices that have shot higher during the ​U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. It came after countries in Asia, suffering from the global energy shock, pressed Washington to allow alternative ⁠supplies to reach markets. 

As negotiations (with Iran) accelerate, Treasury wants to ensure oil is available to those who need it," a Treasury Department spokesperson ​said.