The United States has granted a temporary waiver allowing Russian crude oil currently stuck on vessels at sea to be sold to India, easing some sanctions imposed on Moscow.

The US Treasury Department announced that its Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a special licence permitting the delivery and sale of Russian crude and petroleum products that were already loaded on ships as of March 5, 2026. The authorisation will remain valid until April 3, 2026.

According to US officials, the measure is intended to prevent disruptions in global energy supply while maintaining pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained that the short-term exemption only covers oil cargoes already stranded at sea and is not designed to significantly boost revenue for the Russian government.
He noted that the move was meant to keep oil flowing in international markets and reduce pressure created by rising geopolitical tensions affecting global energy supply.

The waiver comes despite India’s recent indication that it plans to gradually halt purchases of Russian crude as part of a broader trade agreement with the United States.

In November, US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on major Russian oil companies, including Lukoil and Rosneft, in response to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Those sanctions forced many international buyers of Russian oil to seek alternative sources, tightening supply in global energy markets.

Russia has reportedly relied on a fleet of ageing oil tankers with unclear ownership to transport its crude in an effort to bypass restrictions imposed by the United States, the European Union and the Group of Seven nations.

Analysts say the temporary waiver reflects Washington’s attempt to balance its sanctions policy with the need to maintain stability in the global oil market.