US does not extend authorisation to buy Russian oil

Volodymyr Tunik-Fryz - 16 May, 17:34

The US has not extended authorisation to buy Russian oil. Photo: Getty Images

The United States has not issued an order extending authorisation to buy Russian oil after the sanctions exemption expired on 16 May.

Source: Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), US Department of the Treasury

Details: The last order allowing the delivery and sale of crude oil and petroleum products originating from Russia was issued on 17 April 2026. It only permitted the sale of oil that had been loaded onto vessels as of 17 April 2026.

Those exemptions expired on 16 May and no amended orders appeared on the website of the US Treasury Department.

On 15 May, it was reported that India asked the US to extend the sanctions exemption for Russian oil, as the war in Iran is still disrupting energy supplies.

In May 2026, Russian oil supplies to India stood at an unprecedented 2.3 million barrels per day. By the end of the month, the figure could still be a significant 1.9 million barrels per day.

Background:

The US has lifted sanctions restrictions on the purchase of Russian oil already loaded onto tankers in order to stabilise global energy markets amid the war in the Middle East.
In April, the US extended the exemption until 16 May.

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