President Donald Trump Rolls Back Russia Oil Sanctions, Authorizes Sale of Oil on Ships

President Donald Trump’s administration has partially rolled back US sanctions on Russian oil, authorising certain sales of Russian crude that are already at sea as Washington seeks to ease soaring energy prices linked to the war in Iran.

“Ukraine and its European allies have hit out at a decision by United States President Donald Trump’s administration to partially roll back sanctions against Russia amid soaring energy prices linked to the Iran war”

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera reported that "United States President Donald Trump’s administration [decided] to partially roll back sanctions against Russia amid soaring energy prices linked to the Iran war," BFMTV explained that "the United States has eased certain restrictions targeting sales of Russian hydrocarbons in order to stabilize the market," and La Croix ran an analysis headlined "War in Iran: why the United States is easing its sanctions on Russian oil — March 13 — Analysis."

Al Jazeera

The measure is structured as a time-limited waiver allowing the purchase and offloading of Russian cargoes already en route, rather than a blanket lifting of sanctions.

BFMTV noted "The waiver granted by the United States allows the purchase of Russian oil currently at sea until April 11," and cautioned that "Given its temporary nature and technical limits, this measure should not bring Russia considerable financial gains immediately," while Al Jazeera framed the step as a partial rollback amid wider diplomatic efforts.

BFMTV

La Croix’s coverage also presented the move as an Iran-war-driven policy shift worthy of analytical coverage.

Kyiv and many European governments condemned the waiver, arguing it strengthens Moscow’s hand, while Moscow and some buyers welcomed the window of opportunity.

“To try to calm tensions on the oil market, the United States is playing the Russia card”

La Croix

Al Jazeera reported that "Ukraine and its European allies have hit out" at the decision and quoted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying it would "strengthen Russia’s position."

BFMTV likewise wrote that the decision was "denounced by Kyiv and Europeans," and added that "The Kremlin welcomed the decision and urged the United States to go further," quoting Vladimir Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev who said lifting other sanctions was "inevitable."

La Croix’s analysis placed the decision in the context of the Iran war’s pressure on European energy markets.

Analysts warned that while this narrow waiver may not immediately transform Russia’s finances, higher global oil prices and prebooked cargoes mean Moscow is already benefiting from the market.

BFMTV cited Kpler figures and market commentary explaining that "Kpler estimates that roughly 120 million barrels of Russian crude could currently be at sea" and that much had been "prebooked by Chinese or Indian customers, which limits any immediate increase in orders after the U.S. decision."

Radio France Internationale

BFMTV also quantified recent price gains, saying Urals crude has risen "by about 60% to $90 a barrel," and that each "$10-per-barrel increase brings an additional $1.6 billion per month in tax revenue to the Russian state."

Al Jazeera and La Croix framed these developments within energy-market pressures tied to the Iran war.

Officials and analysts emphasised the uncertainty: US officials said the move was limited and not intended to give Russia a lasting windfall, while Russian officials urged broader relief and markets remained volatile.

“Ukraine and its European allies have hit out at a decision by United States President Donald Trump’s administration to partially roll back sanctions against Russia amid soaring energy prices linked to the Iran war”

Al Jazeera

BFMTV quoted U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying the decision would not provide "a significant financial advantage to the Russian government," and also recorded Moscow’s push for wider sanctions relief as Dmitriev called further lifting "inevitable."

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera noted that the decision came as diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine had stalled, and La Croix highlighted the policy choice as part of wider debates over how to contain fuel prices amid the Iran war.