Daily brief
The United States has extended a sanctions waiver allowing Russian seaborne oil loaded by April 17 to be imported until June 17, aiming to support vulnerable countries amid supply crunches linked to the Iran conflict. The move has drawn mixed reactions, with some analysts noting India can ride out disruption after the waiver lapses, while the US is also pushing a bill imposing sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil. Putin's envoy commented on the US lifting sanctions on Russian oil, and reports indicate the Trump administration extended the waiver to reduce China’s ability to stockpile discounted oil.
Russia has completely switched to its own software in the oil and gas sector, according to the prime minister, and Gazprom Neft announced the creation of Russia's unified energy digital twin.
Russia faces lower LNG revenue as the shift to Asia doubles costs, and it quietly added four LNG carriers to its Arctic dark fleet.
Bulgarian authorities are weighing a potential purchase of the Lukoil refinery, and a former Everton director lost a Russian sanctions challenge.
Russia is preparing second and third Soyuz-5 rockets, and the prime minister said Russia is no longer looking for replacing Western products but introducing its own.