The US government has cleared the way for the possible sale of foreign assets of the Russian oil concern Lukoil. On Friday (November 14), the US Department of Finance issued a license that would allow potential buyers allows until December 13 to negotiate with Lukoil on the purchase of its operations. Washington at the same time allowed the continuation of business relations with the refinery of Lukoil in Bulgaria after the government in Sofia moved to take over its plant in the Black Sea city of Burgas. TASR informs about it based on the report of the portal orf.at
The US last month imposed sanctions on two of Russia’s largest oil companies, Lukoil and Rosneft, for their role in financing the war in Ukraine. Sanctions also affect Western trading partners. The administration in Washington emphasized that the sale of Lukoil’s assets will be possible only under certain conditions. Any new owners would have to completely sever ties with the Russian concern. At the same time, the proceeds from the sale would have to be placed in a special account, which Lukoil will not have access to while the sanctions are in force.
“These permits support the energy security of our partners and allies without benefiting the Russian government,” said a spokesman for the Treasury Department in Washington.
Lukoil also announced on Friday that it is negotiating the sale of its foreign assets with several interested parties. He plans to publish the details after concluding the final agreements and obtaining the relevant permits. The foreign assets of the Russian concern include a network of gas stations in 20 countries and three refineries in the European Union. Less than a week after the US sanctions were announced, the company announced that it would sell its foreign assets.
