USA ease sanctions on Russian oil for the third time, citing the energy crisis — according to recent reports. Please confirm the latest details with a trusted news source.

The United States administration has once again decided to temporarily suspend parts of the sanctions targeting Russian crude oil. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued a new license allowing the purchase of Russian oil already loaded onto tankers. This is the third such move since the beginning of the U.S.–Iran crisis surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.

The decision was announced by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who emphasized that it is temporary and intended to support countries most at risk of energy shortages.

Washington seeks to stabilize the oil market

According to the Treasury Department, the purpose of the license is to maintain stability in the physical oil market and limit sharp increases in crude prices. The new exemption covers Russian oil already at sea and ready for delivery to buyers.

Bessent argued that the decision is meant to help countries heavily dependent on energy imports, which could be hit hardest by supply disruptions following tensions involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

At the same time, the U.S. administration claims the measure is also intended to limit China’s ability to buy discounted Russian oil. Washington argues that redirecting supplies to countries most in need should reduce the scale of strategic stockpiling by Beijing.

Third extension despite earlier assurances

This is the third license suspending parts of the restrictions on Russia’s oil sector. The first exemption was introduced in March, when concerns emerged about global oil supplies after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz.

At the time, the Treasury Department insisted the measure was a one‑off solution that would not significantly increase the Kremlin’s revenues. However, subsequent months brought additional extensions.

The previous exemption expired on May 17. As recently as April, European partners were assured that no further extension would be granted.

Europe criticizes the U.S. decision

Washington’s moves are causing growing tension in transatlantic relations. Within the European Union, voices are emerging that U.S. actions undermine the effectiveness of Western sanctions against Russia.

EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič said after talks with Bessent in Washington that he had received assurances that such exemptions would end.

According to estimates from Senate Democrats, Russia may have increased its oil‑export revenues by as much as $150 million per day during the first month of the license’s validity. Total additional revenue for the Kremlin is believed to have already exceeded $4 billion.

Hundreds of millions of barrels covered by the exemption

The scale of the operation remains enormous. At the time the first license was issued, more than 140 million barrels of Russian oil were already on tankers. The second decision covered roughly 100 million barrels.

Although the U.S. administration stresses the temporary nature of the measures, the repeated extensions raise questions about the future of sanctions policy toward Russia and the effectiveness of Western economic pressure on the Kremlin.