US lifts sanctions on three Russian vessels, including one that carried stolen Ukrainian grain

The US Treasury Department has removed three Russian vessels from its sanctions list.

Source: European Pravda citing the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)

Details: The US has lifted sanctions on two container ships, the Fesco Moneron and Fesco Magadan, and a cargo vessel, the Sv Nikolay. According to War&Sanctions, an online resource produced by Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, the Sv Nikolay was involved in transporting stolen Ukrainian grain.

The Sv Nikolay repeatedly entered ports in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, from which it transported agricultural products to Türkiye.

Background:

• On 13 March, the US lifted sanctions on Russian oil on tankers at sea. Washington said the move was intended to stabilise global energy markets after oil prices surged due to the US-Israeli war against Iran and Tehran's attacks across the Persian Gulf, which effectively paralysed oil exports from the region. Similar decisions were taken in relation to Venezuelan and Iranian oil.
• US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later said Washington's easing of sanctions on Russian oil would only bring Moscow "insignificant" revenue of about US$2 billion.
• US President Donald Trump has said US sanctions on Russian oil will be reinstated once the crisis in the Middle East is over.
• On 30 March, Trump said he had no objection to a Russian-flagged oil tanker reaching Cuba, even though that would breach the fuel blockade imposed by his administration.

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