The US lifted sanctions on Russian oil giant Rosneft’s German subsidiary on Thursday, as the ongoing conflict triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran threatens Europe with a renewed energy crisis.
The future of Rosneft’s German business operations, which include stakes in three German oil refineries, has been uncertain since US sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil came into effect on Nov. 21, 2025.
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According to AFP, German Energy Minister Katherina Reiche welcomed the news – adding that the lifting of the sanctions was “a strong signal of the close transatlantic cooperation in sanctions policy.”
When news of the US sanctions first broke in October 2025, Berlin acted quickly to secure an exemption – placing Rosneft’s shares in German refineries under national control and announcing their intentions of seeking a buyer.
Washington provided Berlin with a “Letter of Comfort” officially recognizing that Rosneft’s business in Germany had been severed from its Russian parent company. However, as long as Berlin was forced to extend its trusteeship of the company every six months, its future remained uncertain.
The news that US sanctions have been lifted clears the way for prospective buyers, who may otherwise have been deterred by the threat of crippling sanctions down the line.
Bulgaria and Serbia have faced similar challenges in the wake of the sanctions, which are arguably the most decisive action to be taken against Russia by US President Donald Trump.
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In the meantime, Kyiv continues to target Russian oil infrastructure as another brutally cold winter under Russian bombardment draws to an end. Residents of Russia’s southwestern Saratov region reported hearing explosions on Wednesday evening after Ukrainian drones targeted a Rosneft oil refinery nearby.
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