For Russia, Trump's sanctions pause means more money to fight Ukraine

"The 30-day license announced this week by the U.S. Treasury, which allows energy traders to buy Russian crude already loaded on tankers without fear of secondary sanctions, is aimed at containing oil prices sent soaring by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. For Russia, it's a break from restrictions that were imposed to reduce the Kremlin's ability to finance its war in Ukraine."

"Sanctions imposed by the Treasury on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil in October forced Moscow to sell elsewhere at discounts averaging nearly $30 per barrel, and left millions of barrels per day stranded on tankers. The sanctions, which increased the share of Russia's total oil output under U.S. sanctions to 80 percent, sent revenue in February plummeting more than 40 percent year-over year."

"The decision, which analysts say could affect some 128 million barrels of oil, risks undermining four years of sanctions aimed at curbing Moscow's war effort."

The Trump administration lifted U.S. sanctions on Russian oil at sea through a 30-day Treasury license permitting energy traders to buy Russian crude already loaded on tankers without facing secondary sanctions. This decision aims to contain oil prices elevated by U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran. For Russia, the move provides relief from October sanctions that forced Moscow to sell oil at discounts averaging $30 per barrel and stranded millions of barrels on tankers. The sanctions had increased the share of Russia's oil output under U.S. restrictions to 80 percent and caused February revenue to plummet over 40 percent year-over-year. However, the Iran bombing campaign drove Russian Urals blend prices to over $80 per barrel, generating Moscow up to $150 million daily in additional revenue despite markdowns.

Read at The Washington Post