Trump Defends Russia Sanctions Waiver as Rift With Ukraine Deepens

Summary

The US administration has waived new sanctions against Russia, a move defended as necessary to facilitate peace negotiations over the war in Ukraine. This decision eases pressure on Russian energy exports, particularly diesel, which could impact global product flows and pricing. The policy shift signals a potential softening of the US stance on Russia, which has significant implications for the global energy balance and the dynamics within OPEC+.