“We see actions by the United States aimed at trying to stabilize energy markets. In this respect, our interests coincide,” Peskov said in remarks carried by Russian media.

The comments followed an announcement by Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury secretary, who said Washington had issued a temporary authorization allowing countries to purchase Russian oil cargoes already in transit at sea. The measure extends a similar waiver that had previously applied only to refiners in India.

Bessent said the authorization was narrowly designed to ease market volatility without significantly benefiting the Russian government.

“This narrowly tailored, short-term measure applies only to oil already in transit and will not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government,” he said in a statement posted on social media.According to Bessent, most Russian energy revenue is generated through taxes assessed at the point of extraction rather than through shipments already in transit.

The decision comes as oil markets react sharply to rising geopolitical risks linked to the widening conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

The waiver has drawn mixed reactions in European capitals, where officials have warned that any easing of restrictions on Russian energy exports could indirectly support Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.Katherina Reiche, Germany’s economy minister, said she was concerned the measure could help finance Russian military operations.

“I am concerned that we are further filling Putin’s war chest,” Reiche said in Berlin.At the same time, she acknowledged that the U.S. administration faced mounting domestic pressures linked to rising energy costs.“It seems to me that domestic political pressure in the United States is very, very high,” she said.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz took a firmer stance, saying it was wrong to ease sanctions on Russia for any reason. Similar concerns were voiced by Jonas Gahr Store, the prime minister of Norway, who said sanctions should remain in place.

Oil prices remained elevated above $100 per barrel on Friday as investors reacted to intensifying geopolitical risks. Markets have been particularly sensitive to threats involving the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for global oil supplies.

Equity markets also declined amid fears that an extended conflict could disrupt energy flows and intensify inflationary pressures on the global economy.

With the conflict entering its third week and no resolution in sight, analysts say investors are increasingly focused on the potential economic consequences of prolonged instability in energy markets.

The temporary licence was granted as benchmark Brent crude traded around $101 per barrel by 1000 GMT, reflecting continued volatility in energy markets despite Washington’s move. Oil prices have surged nearly 40% since the start of the conflict, driven by fears that escalating hostilities could disrupt global supplies.

Financial markets in Asia also came under pressure as traders weighed the risks of prolonged instability in the Middle East, a region that remains central to global energy production and transportation.

Oil prices jumped about 9% to around $100 a barrel on Thursday as concerns intensified over the durability of supply chains during the ongoing conflict. Traders have been particularly focused on the security of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow maritime corridor through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.

Iran has attacked vessels in the strategic waterway during the current confrontation, heightening fears that further disruptions could ripple across global energy markets.

The waiver issued by Washington allows countries to buy Russian petroleum cargoes already at sea, where shipments frequently change ownership during transit. The measure is intended to increase short-term supply availability and reduce upward pressure on prices.

“The temporary increase in oil prices is a short-term and temporary disruption that will result in a massive benefit to our nation and economy in the long term,” said Scott Bessent, the U.S. Treasury secretary.

The energy market turbulence comes as the conflict between Israel and Iran entered its third week with continued missile exchanges.

Iran launched another barrage of missiles and drones toward Israel on Friday, while the Israeli military said it conducted air strikes across Tehran and continued operations against the Iranian-aligned Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, including strikes around the capital, Beirut.

Iranian media reported that rallies marking Quds Day began across Iran in support of Palestinians. Residents in Tehran and the nearby city of Karaj reported hearing explosions and fighter jets during Israeli strikes, according to local media coverage.

Energy traders have closely followed comments by Donald Trump regarding the likely duration of the conflict, which has added to volatility in oil markets and global equities.

The sharp rise in crude prices has contributed to declines in U.S. stocks and broader market unease as investors assess the potential for prolonged disruptions to energy flows.

The waiver allowing limited Russian oil transactions reflects Washington’s attempt to cushion global markets while the conflict continues to unfold across the region.

Oil shipments through the pipeline to Slovakia and Hungary via Ukraine have been halted since late January after Kyiv said a Russian strike sparked a fire that seriously damaged the line. Ukrainian authorities have said repairs cannot be completed quickly.The disruption has triggered one of the most serious disputes between Kyiv and its two European Union neighbours since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.Pressure over EU loan to UkraineFico said he would raise the issue with von der Leyen during a meeting in Paris and push for technical experts to assess the damaged pipeline. In a video posted on Facebook, he warned Slovakia could block a major European Union loan to Ukraine if oil flows are not restored.“Blocking this huge military gift to Ukraine is a legitimate tool to achieve the restoration of oil supplies,” Fico said.Hungary has already vetoed new EU sanctions on Russia and a proposed 90-billion-euro loan package intended to support Ukraine.

Dispute over responsibility for delaysSlovakia and Hungary, both EU members that still import Russian oil and maintain ties with Moscow, have accused Ukraine of deliberately slowing the pipeline restart for political reasons. Ukrainian officials say the damage to the infrastructure makes a quick repair impossible.The European Commission said on Friday it was examining possible ways to help restore Druzhba oil flows, including potential financial assistance.Political tensions across the regionThe dispute has also affected bilateral relations between Slovakia and Ukraine.

Slovakia has already halted emergency electricity supplies to Ukraine during the standoff.Tensions are unfolding as Hungary approaches a closely contested election next month, with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has led the country for 16 years, making the war in Ukraine a central issue in his campaign.