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Fri, 13 Mar 2026

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 Why has Trump eased sanctions on Russian oil - and will it help Putin?

The US said easing sanctions on Russian oil would provide only a limited financial boost to Putin.

* The US has temporarily waived sanctions on countries buying Russian oil, allowing them to sell stranded oil at sea.
* The move was welcomed by Russia and sparked concern among pro-Ukraine campaigners who see it as enriching Vladimir Putin and prolonging the war in Ukraine.
* Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the policy is a "tailored, short-term" measure aimed at reducing economic impact of the US-Israel-Iran conflict.
* Proponents argue that allowing Russian oil onto the market will ease upward pressure on the oil price and boost production, while opponents say it's a "serious bailout" for Putin's regime.
* The move has sparked concerns about the impact on Ukraine and the effectiveness of Western sanctions against Russia, with some arguing it marks a shift in the Western consensus away from maximum pressure on Russia.
* Estimates suggest that Russia could sell around 50m barrels of oil under the waiver, which would generate an estimated $10bn (£7.5bn) in revenue for the regime.
* The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has pushed the West's anti-Russian sanctions regime beyond its limits, with some arguing there is little that can be done until it is resolved.