US allows operations with Lukoil gas stations outside Russia until late April

On December 4, the U.S. Department of the Treasury allowed operations with Lukoil gas stations located outside Russia by issuing a general license valid until April 29, 2026.

This is stated in an official notice from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Ukrinform reports.

"The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is issuing Russia-related General License 128B, "Authorizing Certain Transactions Involving Lukoil Retail Service Stations Located Outside of Russia"," the statement says.

The license itself will remain valid until April 29, 2026.

Reuters notes that this authorization covers transactions for about 2,000 gas stations across Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and South and North America. Last month, the U.S. Treasury allowed companies to negotiate with Lukoil regarding the purchase of its foreign assets until December 13, but they will still need approval from Washington for specific deals.

Read also: Sanctions cut flow of Russian oil to China by two-thirds – Bloomberg

As Ukrinform reported, on October 22 the United States imposed sanctions on the companies Lukoil and Rosneft. Restrictions against the major oil producers were introduced due to Russia's lack of serious commitment to a peace process aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.