US Grants Bangladesh 60-Day Waiver to Import Russian Oil

The US officially notified Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs that this special exemption will remain in effect until June 9, 2026. This extension follows a high-level meeting in Washington on March 31 between Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman and US Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

Amidst escalating conflicts in the Middle East that have disrupted traditional supply chains, Bangladesh sought US permission to source fuel from Russia to stabilize its domestic market. Diplomatic sources confirm that talks also explored the possibility of importing Russian crude after it is refined in a third-party country. This move is expected to alleviate the current fuel crisis and provides a crucial window for the government to manage its reserves.