США не стали продлевать лицензию на операции в энергетическом секторе с российскими банками
The US Treasury announced the expiration of the 8L license, which allowed Russian banks to carry out financial transactions in the energy sector, despite the sanctions. Donald Trump’s administration did not extend it, informs «Voice of America».
General License 8L provided an exception to the sanctions imposed by the United States on Russia after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It was last extended on January 10, 2025 by the Joe Biden administration for 60 days to allow financial transactions in the energy sector, as most transactions with Russian banks remained under sanctions restrictions.
In January, the US also significantly expanded sanctions against Russia’s so-called «shadow» fleet, which was involved in the illegal sale of oil to circumvent international sanctions. Among the banks benefiting from this license were Sberbank of Russia, VTB, Vnesheconombank, Bank of St. Petersburg, Zenit Bank, Alfa-Bank and Central Bank of the Russian Federation.
The license also allowed Russian banks to process European payments for oil exports. If the Trump administration does not renew this exemption, it could severely limit Russia’s ability to sell oil on the global market.
