US Extends "Permission" to Buy Russian Oil, Indonesia Can Rest Easy

The United States government has once again eased sanctions against Russia by extending permission for the purchase of crude oil and its derivatives. This policy comes amid a surge in global energy prices that is increasingly pressuring many countries.

The administration of President Donald Trump issued a one-month temporary licence on Friday (17 April 2026) local time. This licence allows transactions for Russian oil already at sea to proceed.

According to AFP on Saturday (18 April 2026), the licence issued by the US Department of the Treasury applies to oil and petroleum products loaded onto ships up to Friday, and can be purchased until 00:01 local time on 16 May 2026. This step also extends the previous easing policy that expired on 11 April.

Indonesia has secured supply commitments for oil and LPG from Russia. Thus, this sanctions relief also guarantees that purchases and deliveries to Indonesia will not be disrupted.

This decision contrasts with a statement by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent two days earlier, in which he said Washington would not extend the licence, including for Russian or Iranian oil.

This easing policy is aimed at dampening global energy supply volatility triggered by the conflict between the US and Israel with Iran.

In response, Tehran temporarily closed access to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy shipping route. This closure caused oil prices to spike sharply, putting significant pressure on countries, especially those reliant on energy imports.

Price increases have also occurred domestically in the US, where petrol prices have risen, burdening households, particularly ahead of this year’s midterm elections. However, this policy has raised concerns as it could give Russia room to continue generating revenue from its energy sector, which is seen as crucial for funding the war in Ukraine.

At a meeting of Group of Seven finance ministers in Washington, French Finance Minister Roland Lescure emphasised that Russia should not benefit from the conflict situation in Iran. He also stated that Ukraine must not become a “collateral victim” of this geopolitical dynamic.

For context, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022, has been the deadliest conflict in Europe since the Second World War.