The U.S. Treasury Department has authorized Lukoil-branded gas stations located outside of Russia to continue their daily operations, effectively suspending specific sanctions previously placed on the Russian energy giant.
According to the Treasury, this decision is designed to “mitigate harm” to local consumers and suppliers who rely on these stations for ordinary transactions. While the move allows these retail locations to stay open—including those in the United States—the framework ensures that no revenue flows back to Russia, maintaining the core financial blockade established following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
This authorization partially rolls back the aggressive sanctions package President Donald Trump implemented in October and November against Russian oil majors Lukoil and Rosneft, which had forced global buyers to scramble for alternative energy sources.
The easing of these restrictions coincides with a high-profile visit by White House negotiators to Moscow, where they are engaging with President Vladimir Putin regarding a potential deal to end the conflict.
The timing has raised alarms among European officials; the EU’s top diplomat recently expressed concern that Russia might be leveraging US peace proposals specifically to stall or weaken international sanctions.
UK Delays Imposing Sanctions on Lukoil International Until February
