Shaheen, Schumer, Warren Statement on Trump Administration Extending Sanctions Relief for Russian Oil

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Democratic Leader, and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, issued the below statement condemning the Trump Administration for extending the ill-conceived Russia General License 134 which removed sanctions risk for any person purchasing Russian oil loaded on vessels as of March 12, 2026. This renewal comes only two days after U.S. Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent claimed at a White House press conference that, "We will not be renewing the general license on Russian oil."

"This decision is shameful and a 180-degree reversal from Secretary Bessent, just two days after he pledged not to extend sanctions relief for Russia. This week, Putin launched the largest aerial attack of the year so far on Ukraine, killing 18 and the Administration's response is to relax sanctions on the Kremlin yet again. What kind of message does this move send?

"Make no mistake, Putin has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of President Trump's war against Iran, as Russia saw oil revenues nearly double in March. Enough is enough. President Trump needs to stop letting Putin play him for a fool and impose additional sanctions on Putin, who is clearly not feeling sufficient pressure from this President. If President Trump does not change course, the war in Ukraine will continue and more innocent people will die."

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