Senator Call on Trump Administration to End Putin's Oil Profit Windfall Ahead of Tomorrow's Sanctions Waiver Deadline

[WASHINGTON, DC] - U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) wrote Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent today calling on the Trump Administration to allow its waiver of certain sanctions on Russian oil to expire tomorrow. Higher fuel prices - driven by President Trump's war in Iran - and the Trump Administration's sanctions relief are reportedly providing Russia an extra $150 million per day in budget revenues from oil sales.

"This policy, however temporary or limited in scope, risks providing the Russian Federation with a continued stream of revenue at a time when it is actively prosecuting its war against Ukraine and continues to target Americans. Every barrel sold under the cover of this license is a resource that can be directed toward sustaining Russia's military operations, replenishing its capabilities, and prolonging a conflict that has already imposed immense human and economic costs," the senators wrote.

"Continuing to ease sanctions on Russia as it provides Iran with valuable intelligence to target our troops and assets, putting them at lethal risk, is unacceptable."

The full text of today's letter is available here and copied below.

Dear Secretary Bessent,

We write regarding the upcoming expiration of the Treasury Department's sanctions relief permitting certain transactions involving Russian oil. We strongly urge the Department not to extend this license.

This policy, however temporary or limited in scope, risks providing the Russian Federation with a continued stream of revenue at a time when it is actively prosecuting its war against Ukraine and continues to target Americans. Every barrel sold under the cover of this license is a resource that can be directed toward sustaining Russia's military operations, replenishing its capabilities, and prolonging a conflict that has already imposed immense human and economic costs. Continuing to ease sanctions on Russia as it provides Iran with valuable intelligence to target our troops and assets, putting them at lethal risk, is unacceptable.

The United States has worked in concert with allies to impose sustained economic pressure on Russia precisely to constrain its war-making capacity. Extending this sanctions relief would undermine those efforts and send a conflicting signal about our commitment to enforcing that pressure.

Moreover, the stated justification for this policy - stabilizing global energy markets in the wake of the war in Iran - has not borne out in practice. Oil prices have not meaningfully declined, calling into question whether the waiver is achieving its intended purpose while clearly enabling an adversary. The Department has taken a similar step with respect to Iran itself, issuing a 30-day waiver allowing the sale of Iranian oil, which is set to expire on April 19, 2026. At this point there seems no justification for continuing the suspension of sanctions with the effect of providing billions of dollars to the Iranian regime.

At a moment when American leadership and credibility are paramount, we must ensure that our policies do not inadvertently finance or the very threats we seek to deter.

We urge the Department to allow this license to expire and to reaffirm a clear, consistent commitment to holding Russia accountable.

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