Archie Mitchell
The Trump administration's decision to ease sanctions on countries buying Russian oil has been welcomed by the Kremlin and has sparked deep concern among pro-Ukraine campaigners. The US waiver, active for one month, will let countries buy up Russian oil which, under current sanctions, has been floating at sea, unable to be sold. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the "tailored, short-term" policy move would reduce the economic impact of the US-Israel war with Iran.
But Bill Browder, a sanctions campaigner and leading critic of Putin's regime, told the BBC the move was "a terrible decision that will enrich Vladimir Putin and prolong the war in Ukraine".
The new policy marks a sharp about-turn for US policy.
Previously Washington came down hard on countries purchasing Russian oil, slapping a huge 50% tariff on imports from India in August, over allegations the country was buying Russian oil, and thereby helping to finance the war in Ukraine. As a result, much of the sanctioned oil was left on tankers off the coast of India and other Asian countries, with traders searching for buyers willing to take it.
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