Bessent again said that the United States would not extend the easing of sanctions on Russian oil. Last time it happened two days after his promise

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview with The Associated Press that the United States has no plans to renew permission to buy Russian oil loaded on ships and at sea.

According to the head of the Ministry of Finance, the extension of a similar permit for Iranian oil is completely excluded.

Bessent explained that last week, during meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, he was approached by representatives of “more than ten of the most vulnerable and poor countries” asking whether the United States could help. “This [previous extension of sanctions relief] was for the sake of these vulnerable and poor countries. But I don't think there will be another extension. I believe that the Russian oil that was at sea has already been largely purchased,” said the US Treasury Secretary.

• After the outbreak of war in the Middle East and Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the main oil export routes by sea, market prices soared, and in mid-March the United States eased sanctions, allowing for 30 days the purchase of Russian oil loaded on tankers before March 12 and at sea. In the same way, sanctions were temporarily lifted on Iranian oil. At the end of March, Bessent assured that Moscow would receive no more than two billion dollars in additional income from the easing of sanctions.
• On April 15, after the 30-day period had expired (the temporary Treasury license was valid until April 11), Bessent told reporters at the White House that the United States did not plan to extend the easing of sanctions on Russian and Iranian oil. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright added that "this was a broad relief." I don’t think you’ll see it extended,” he said. On April 18, the US Treasury issued a new license to purchase Russian oil loaded on ships until April 17, thus extending the easing of sanctions.