Numerous lawmakers, including some Republicans, are outraged about the Trump administration’s easing of sanctions on Russian oil exports, amid reports that Moscow is helping Iran target U.S. troops in the Middle East.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, looking to ease a supply crisis caused by the Iran war that has driven up energy prices, announced on March 6 a 30-day waiver of sanctions so that India can buy Russian oil. Russia’s proceeds from those sales to India are widely estimated at billions of dollars.
The sanctions on Russia’s two biggest oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft, had been imposed in October after President Donald Trump had for months resisted calls from both parties in Congress to put them in place to diminish money available to Russia for attacking Ukraine and to goad Russia to make concessions in peace talks.
