The United States has issued a temporary 30-day waiver allowing India to purchase Russian oil stranded at sea, a move aimed at stabilizing global energy markets amid Middle East tensions. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the measure as a “deliberate short-term” step to keep oil flowing, stressing it does not authorize new purchases or provide Russia with significant financial gain.
The waiver comes as millions of barrels remain stalled near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of global energy supplies pass. India relies heavily on imports, with roughly 90 percent of its crude sourced abroad, and faces potential supply disruptions if the strait remains blocked.
Analysts estimate that up to 145 million barrels of Russian crude could be redirected toward India, providing temporary relief to Asian refiners. Yet the move has drawn criticism for potentially undermining sanctions designed to limit Moscow’s war funding.
The international watchdog Global Witness warned that even limited sales could strengthen Russia’s war effort. Its chief executive, Mike Davis, said: “Measures like this risk sacrificing Ukraine’s interests in the name of stabilizing energy prices.”
For Kyiv, the decision is particularly concerning. Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian officials have urged the West to maintain pressure on Russian energy exports, highlighting that every reduction in Russia’s energy income directly affects its ability to fund the war.
While U.S. officials frame the waiver as a short-term response to extraordinary market conditions, critics argue it risks softening sanctions at a time when Ukraine relies on sustained international pressure to counter Moscow’s aggression.
Nadia Lemko
