The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering allowing tankers subject to sanctions and linked to Russia, Iran and Venezuela to transport cargo not prohibited by US sanctions, subject to specific approval by the US Treasury Department, Reuters reported on 15 October. Separately, the Financial Times reported on a mechanism allegedly proposed by Washington to partially unfreeze Russian assets; however, Reuters stated that it had been unable to independently verify this information.<\/p>\n
Briefly about the main points<\/strong><\/p>\n According to Reuters, citing a US official, discussions are taking place in Washington regarding a mechanism under which tankers subject to sanctions could transport oil and petroleum products that are not covered by US restrictions. This concerns vessels that have been linked to the transport of Russian, Iranian and Venezuelan oil.<\/p>\n According to the agency, shipping companies would need to obtain approval from the US Department of the Treasury for such transactions. No new general licence or final rules regarding this mechanism have been publicly announced.<\/p>\n Reuters links the discussions to high sea freight rates, which are hampering international trade in energy commodities. The US administration\u2019s reasoning is that additional available vessels could increase the supply of tankers on the market and bring down transport costs.<\/p>\n According to Reuters, citing the research firm Energy Aspects, the US Energy Secretary also raised the issue of a possible easing of restrictions Chris Wright<\/strong>. At the same time, the potential licensing of vessels for non-sanctioned cargoes does not amount to the lifting of restrictions on oil of Russian or Iranian origin.<\/p>\n The Financial Times reported that representatives The US has reportedly proposed to its European partners that they partially unfreeze Russia\u2019s sovereign assets<\/strong> and transfer them to a financial mechanism under Washington\u2019s control. This model was seen as one way of attempting to resume peace talks on Ukraine.<\/p>\n The idea was presented by the US President\u2019s special envoy Steve Witkoff<\/strong> \u0456 Jared Kushner<\/strong> during negotiations<\/a> in Miami last week, but European delegates rejected it. Reuters, reporting on the FT article published on 14 October, explicitly stated that it had been unable to independently verify these details.<\/p>\n Axios had previously reported on a planned meeting between Witkoff and Kushner with representatives from Ukraine, the UK, France, Germany, the EU and NATO in Miami. However, this confirms the format of the talks, rather than the substance of the proposal regarding assets reported by the FT.<\/p>\n\n
What mechanism is being discussed in the US?<\/h2>\n
The aim is to ease the pressure on the freight market<\/h2>\n
What the Financial Times reported about Russian assets<\/h2>\n
How much of the Russian Federation\u2019s assets remain frozen?<\/h2>\n