Washington Grants Limited Sanctions Relief to Russian Banks Tied to Nuclear Energy

The United States has announced a temporary suspension of sanctions affecting a number of major Russian financial institutions involved in civilian nuclear energy projects. The decision was published by the US Department of the Treasury and applies strictly to operations supporting non-military nuclear programs.

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Sanctions

Limited License for Nuclear Energy Transactions

The Treasury issued a general license authorizing financial transactions with designated Russian banks until June 18, 2026. The authorization applies only to projects in the field of civilian nuclear energy that were initiated before November 21, 2024.

Under the license, transactions are permitted with Sberbank, VTB, Alfa-Bank, Gazprombank, Sovcombank, Otkritie Bank, Rosbank, Zenit Bank, and Bank Saint Petersburg. The list also includes the National Clearing Center and the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.

The authorization extends to companies in which the listed banks hold a stake of 50 percent or more, provided the transactions directly support civilian nuclear energy projects.

Sanctions Relief Remains Narrow in Scope

US authorities emphasized that the license does not represent a broader rollback of sanctions. All other financial operations outside the scope of civilian nuclear energy remain fully restricted.

"The authorization is strictly limited to activities supporting civilian nuclear energy,” the Treasury noted, stressing that no unrelated financial transactions are permitted.

The move reflects Washington's effort to avoid disruptions to international nuclear energy projects while maintaining pressure on Moscow in other economic sectors.

Sanctions Pressure Continues

Despite the temporary relief, the overall sanctions regime against Russia remains firmly in place. According to Bloomberg, US officials are simultaneously preparing additional restrictive measures aimed at increasing pressure on Moscow should it refuse to engage in a peace settlement related to the conflict in Ukraine.

The selective easing underscores a dual-track strategy: preserving global energy stability in the nuclear sector while continuing broader economic and political pressure through sanctions.