Trump administration moves to ease sanctions on Russian oil

The Trump administration is taking steps to remove or ease sanctions on Russian oil. This includes considering a waiver for India to continue buying Russian oil and potentially exempting the German units of the Russian state oil company Rosneft from sanctions. Some reports also indicate the administration is discussing a broader 30-day waiver for certain countries to purchase Russian oil.

These moves have created a split with Britain, which has stated it will not follow the U.S. in lifting these sanctions. The administration's stated rationale is to help cool global oil prices. Officials have also commented that the sanctions could be reinstated after the Middle East crisis is resolved.

Some headlines suggest the administration believes this policy could pressure Iran, with one official quoted saying an Iranian surrender is 'inevitable.' Other reports note the administration said it would have 'no problem' if Russia delivered oil to Cuba.