© EPA/ VASSIL DONEV Reuters ties the decision to prospective discussions about the conflict.
Amid conversations regarding a peace accord in Russia’s war with Ukraine, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under the US Treasury has deferred the divestiture of assets belonging to the Russian firm Lukoil until April 1. This is according to information from Reuters sources.
According to these sources, the US is leveraging Lukoil shares as a point of influence on Russia. In recent negotiation rounds, the subject of penalties aimed at Russia’s clandestine fleet, especially regarding Lukoil and Rosneft, has been a prominent topic.
Reuters reports that agreements for asset sales with prospective acquirers have been delayed on three occasions since October 2025, when restrictions were put in place against Russia’s major oil enterprises. Since the US Department of State, the Treasury Department, and high-ranking White House officials became involved, the matter of divesting assets has grown more politically charged.
Meanwhile, US agencies have not verified a connection between the peace talks and the extension of deadlines for asset sales.
In October, the Trump administration placed sanctions on Russia’s largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, with hopes of prompting Russia to cease hostilities against Ukraine. Subsequently, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that the United States was nearing the end of available options for imposing fresh sanctions on Russia. Following months of delays, what motivated Trump to finally penalize the Kremlin with sanctions? Oleg Shamshur explores Trump’s rationale, potential dangers, and misconceptions in the article “Trump is punishing Putin, but not for the sake of Ukraine.”