Overview
- The U.S. Treasury issued a temporary license allowing the sale of Russian crude and petroleum products already on ships, with authorization running from March 12 to April 11.
- In an NBC interview, President Trump said the eased measures will “go back as soon as the crisis is over” and pressed President Volodymyr Zelensky to “make a deal” with Vladimir Putin.
- Kyiv and several European leaders criticized the step as weakening pressure on Moscow, with Zelensky warning it would chiefly bolster Russia’s war financing.
- Independent researchers estimated Russia gained roughly €6 billion in two weeks from war-driven energy market disruptions, and Zelensky projected the U.S. easing could yield up to $10 billion for Moscow.
- The Kremlin welcomed the move, while UK and U.S. sources reported suspicions that Russia has offered Iran tactical help, components, or intelligence during the ongoing conflict.