U.S. extends sanctions waiver for Lukoil fuel stations abroad
License allows non‑Russian retail operations to continue through October.
The U.S. government has extended a waiver allowing Lukoil‑branded fuel stations outside Russia to continue operating, providing a limited exception to sanctions imposed last year over Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
According to the U.S. Treasury Department, the waiver covering roughly 2,000 Lukoil retail locations across Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas has been extended through Oct. 29. The authorization enables the continued operation of stations that are not based in Russia, despite broader restrictions targeting the Russian energy sector.
Sanctions were imposed in October on Lukoil and Rosneft, Russia’s two largest oil companies, under measures aimed at curbing revenues that support the war effort. The decision prompted interest from potential buyers in Lukoil’s international assets, which have been estimated at around $22 billion.
The brand maintains a sizable downstream presence outside Russia. In the United States, the company operates approximately 200 service stations across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. Internationally, it is a leading fuel retailer in countries such as Moldova and Bulgaria, while also running around 600 stations in Turkey and more than 300 in Romania.
The narrow extension underscores Washington’s effort to balance sanctions enforcement with the continued operation of fuel supply infrastructure outside Russia, particularly in markets where Lukoil plays a significant retail role.
