U.S. Treasury Issues General License 135 Authorizing Russian Crude Oil Transactions Through May 17

Gate News message, April 18 — The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License 135 on April 17, authorizing the handling of specific Russian energy transactions affected by sanctions. The license permits necessary deliveries, sales, safe harbor arrangements, emergency repairs, and environmental mitigation for Russian crude oil and petroleum products that were loaded before April 17, Eastern Time.

All authorized transactions must be completed by May 17. The temporary authorization allows for the orderly management of in-transit cargo while maintaining compliance with U.S. sanctions frameworks.