The USA temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian banks: what this means for nuclear energy.

According to ТСН: The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has suspended restrictions on several major Russian banks. The U.S. Department of the Treasury reported that this easing applies only to financial institutions involved in the implementation of projects in the field of civilian nuclear energy. The agency issued a special general license allowing financial transactions with sanctioned Russian banks until June 18, 2026.

This permission is only applicable to transactions for projects initiated before November 21, 2024. The license applies not only to the banks themselves but also to companies in which these institutions hold more than 50% stake.

List of banks affected by the easing

The U.S. Treasury has allowed operations related to nuclear energy for the following institutions:

• Gazprombank;

• Sberbank;

• VTB and Alfa-Bank;

• Severstal Bank and Rosbank;

• Otkritie Bank, Zenit, and St. Petersburg Bank;

• National Clearing Center;

• Central Bank of the Russian Federation.

The license also covers structures where the mentioned banks hold a majority stake (50% or more). However, this permission is highly specialized: it applies only to transactions necessary for the operation of civilian nuclear energy facilities. Other financial operations with these institutions and companies remain under existing sanctions.

Washington is also considering the possibility of introducing new sanctions against the Russian energy sector if Moscow does not agree to a peace settlement with Ukraine. At the same time, the White House officially stated that no final decision has been made yet.

Earlier reports indicated that Russia is selling oil at the lowest prices since February 2022, while increasing exports and facing a rise in the volume of raw materials stuck on tankers at sea.

These changes in American policy regarding Russian banks underline the complexity of international financial relations in the context of the war in Ukraine. Recent statements from Washington indicate that the U.S. is closely monitoring the situation and may respond to actions by Moscow with new sanctions, which could significantly impact the global energy resource market.