Kateryna Hirnyk10:08, 14.03.26

2 min.1297

Lifting sanctions will allow Russia to continue financing the war against Ukraine while avoiding economic problems.

The US decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil will bring financial benefits to Moscow and allow Russia to continue financing the war against Ukraine while avoiding economic problems, analysts at the Institute for the Study of War write .

ISW previously assessed that deteriorating economic conditions have forced the Russian government to take politically unpopular and economically suboptimal measures, such as raising the value-added tax and lowering the key interest rate. At the same time, Russia faces problems building up its armed forces mainly due to budgetary constraints, including Russia’s inability to pay expensive one-time bonuses for indefinite conscription.

However, the US decision to temporarily ease sanctions and the global oil shock partially offset these problems in the short and medium term.

“Russia is struggling to muster the forces, equipment, and domestic support needed to continue the war, but increased cash flow could allow Russia to strengthen its capabilities. ISW’s previous forecasts may also prove correct, but with a delay, if oil prices normalize and Russia’s oil revenues return to February 2026 levels in the medium term,” the analysts note.

How Russia benefits from a war in Iran

The escalation of the conflict between the US and Iran has led to a sharp increase in world oil prices , which could bring significant additional revenues to Russia and help the Kremlin finance the war against Ukraine.

Earlier it became known that Washington allowed the sale of Russian oil and petroleum products that were loaded onto ships before March 12. It was reported that such permits would be valid until April 11, 2026.

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