The US has temporarily lifted sanctions on the sale of oil and petroleum products from Russia. This follows from a general license published by the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

According to the document, the US will allow the sale and delivery of crude oil and petroleum products of Russian origin on ships starting from Thursday. This license will be valid until April 11.

This week, US President Donald Trump proposed easing sanctions imposed on the energy sectors of a number of countries amid rising global oil prices. Washington is considering the possibility of easing restrictions, including on Russian oil. Against this background, Russian President Vladimir Putin recalled that Russia has repeatedly warned about rising oil and natural gas prices in an attempt to destabilize the situation in the Middle East. Also, he announced his readiness to increase Russian oil and natural gas deliveries to Europe if he receives a signal from his colleagues.