The USA has extended the deadline for transactions with Lukoil until April 1.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the USA will extend the deadline for completing transactions with Lukoil from February 28 to April 1, according to a document reviewed by Reuters. This decision comes following difficult negotiations between officials from the USA, Russia, and Ukraine, held in various locations, without significant progress towards a peace agreement. The sanctions imposed by Washington target Lukoil and Rosneft, the largest Russian oil companies. OFAC has extended the deadline to facilitate negotiations with Lukoil, considering that the sale of the company's assets, valued at 22 billion dollars, has attracted interest from several bidders. Any agreement will require that Lukoil does not receive advance payments, and the funds must be frozen under US jurisdiction. Additionally, the price of crude oil remains high, in the context of tensions in the Middle East and discussions regarding the Iranian nuclear program.