US Treasury Issues Indefinite Sanctions Waiver for Rosneft Deutschland
In a significant diplomatic win for Berlin, the US Treasury has reportedly decided to grant an indefinite sanctions exemption to the German subsidiary of the Russian oil giant, Rosneft. Rosneft Deutschland manages critical energy infrastructure, including shares in three refineries that account for 12% of Germany’s total processing capacity (most notably the PCK Schwedt plant). […]
US Relaxes Russian Oil Sanctions for India to Address Supply Shortfalls
The US Treasury has issued a 30-day waiver (valid through April 4, 2026) that allows Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea. This is being framed as a “deliberate short-term measure.” By letting India absorb Russian crude that is already “floating” in Asian waters, Washington hopes to quickly inject supply into the […]
Lithuania-registered firms used to evade sanctions, gain Western tech access
Actors allegedly linked to Russia, Belarus used Lithuanian businesses to forge ties with foreign firms Lithuanian intelligence services (the State Security Department and the Second Investigation Department) have identified a specific pattern: actors are not necessarily creating new companies, but rather reactivating dormant, low-activity businesses to mask their activities. By doing so, they create a […]
The Halkbank case in the US has been dropped
After nearly a decade of legal friction, Halkbank and the US Department of Justice have reached a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA), effectively bringing the long-standing case regarding Iran sanctions to a close. Perhaps the most significant aspect is that Halkbank will not pay any monetary penalties and has made no admission of criminal wrongdoing. Once […]
A Strategic Pivot on Energy
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently signaled a pragmatic—if somewhat ironic—shift in energy policy. As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East disrupt shipping routes through the critical Strait of Hormuz, the US is weighing the release of additional sanctioned Russian oil to prevent a global supply crunch. The Treasury Department is considering “unsanctioning” segments of […]