Who Won from Russia Sanctions Relief? — Audit finding

Reporting and findings

1. documented

   General License 134B relaxed transaction prohibitions for a bounded class of Russian-origin cargoes through May 16, 2026, and General License 134C superseded it on May 18. The available evidence names no completed counterparties, quantifies no captured value, and does not show the licenses lifting broader Russia sanctions.

   • The American Presidency Project: 2024 Republican Party PlatformTwenty promises, items 7-9; chapters 2, 9, and 10
   • Office of Foreign Assets Control: Issuance of Russia-related General License 134BGeneral License 134B: authorization for covered sale, delivery, or offloading transactions involving Russian-origin oil loaded by April 17, 2026, through May 16, 2026
   • Office of Foreign Assets Control: Russia-related General License 134CParagraph (c): General License 134B expired May 16, 2026 and was replaced and superseded by General License 134C effective May 18, 2026
   • Associated Press: US extends waiver on Russian oil sanctions to ease Iran war shortages despite Bessent denialThirty-day license, prior public denial, market rationale, and unquantified effect on Russian exporters
   • Associated Press: A boost for Moscow in the shadow of Iran war: US allows India to buy Russian oil for a monthEstimated 125 million barrels eligible; Treasury response that benefit to Russia would not be significant