Gas stations of the Russian company “Lukoil“ can operate legally, can pay salaries and buy supplies until April 2026, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Coiu said last night, quoted by Agerpres, BTA reported.
“The US decision, the 128B license for “Lukoil“, provides the necessary time to protect jobs and energy security and maintains the bans on transfers to Russia. In recent weeks, we have been closely coordinating with OFAC (the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Treasury Department – ed. note) on possible scenarios for Romania together with the relevant ministries, and the government has taken the necessary measures and now has the tools to monitor the company's activities“, Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Coiu wrote in Ex.
“I know that there are many employees and their families who need clarity before the sale, who are wondering whether they will receive Christmas salaries from their employer or not“, Coiu admitted.
She explained that gas stations can operate legally, can pay salaries and buy supplies until April 2026, and the sale or liquidation of operations to other operators is explicitly allowed.
“The transfer of any funds and profits to Russia is prohibited, and this is something that does not depend only on their word, but something we are observing directly,“ the Romanian foreign minister said.
The United States has issued a general license for certain transactions related to “Lukoil“ gas stations located outside of Russia, according to information on the US Treasury Department website, cited by Reuters.
The transactions are permitted until 12:01 p.m. Eastern Time (07:01 Bulgarian Time) on April 29, 2026, the publication states.
"Lukoil" has 320 gas stations in Romania, is the operator of the third largest oil refinery and has offshore exploration rights in a block in the Black Sea.