Peskov assesses US sanctions easing for energy deals

The United States takes a pragmatic position when it comes to its trade and economic interests, said Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, an RBC correspondent reports.

This is how he commented on the decision of the US Treasury Department to extend permission for energy transactions with some Russian banks.

"In general, the United States takes a fairly pragmatic position in terms of its own trade and economic interests. And therefore <…> without any hesitation, decisions are made to exclude certain items from the sanctions lists for short or long periods of time, but again, only when this corresponds to America's economic interests," Peskov said, noting that this is common practice.

The US began imposing blocking sanctions against Russian banks in 2022. They provide for a freeze on their assets and a ban on Americans doing business with them . The day before, the US Treasury issued a license that softens the sanctions regime for some Russian banks when concluding deals in the energy sector. The relaxations concern, among other things, the Bank of Russia, Alfa Bank, Sber, Sovcombank and VTB, and will be valid until April 30, 2025. The previous license was valid until November 1, 2024 .

Russian authorities call international sanctions illegitimate, ineffective and demand their lifting. The Kremlin has said that the restrictions harm Western countries themselves.

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