Fact Check: Did Trump lift sanctions on Russia in June 2025?
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin's relationship seems to have taken a hit as the POTUS recently took a jibe at the Russian leader, saying he "talks nice and then he bombs everybody in the evening".
Amid this, a rumor also circulated online claiming that Trump had "lifted sanctions on Russia" in June 2025, adding more confusion. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.
Claim: Trump lifted sanctions on Russia in June 2025
In late June 2025, many social media users shared a screenshot of a document by the Department of Treasury, claiming that it showed that Donald Trump had "lifted sanctions on Russia."
An X user shared a post featuring the alleged screenshot. The caption of the post read, "BREAKING: Donald Trump lifts sanctions on Russia, allowing U.S. transactions with sanctioned Russian banks — including Sberbank, VTB and even the Central Bank — for civil nuclear projects."
BREAKING: Donald Trump lifts sanctions on Russia, allowing U.S. transactions with sanctioned Russian banks — including Sberbank, VTB, and even the Central Bank — for civil nuclear projects. pic.twitter.com/dQrBNpeNz3
— Lev Parnas (@levparnas) June 30, 2025
Moreover, the document was titled "General License No. 115B - Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to Civil Nuclear Energy."
Furthermore, it showed General License No. 115B (GL 115B), issued by the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control on June 27, 2025, authorized specific limited transactions with certain sanctioned Russian entities.
The rumor further circulated across different social media platforms, such as Instagram, Bluesky, Facebook, Reddit, Imgur, YouTube, and Threads.
False: The post was an update to a license first issued under Joe Biden
This online rumor made many believe that the Trump administration had reversed US sanctions on Russia.
However, the document circulating in social media posts is real and was an update to a license first issued under the administration of former President Joe Biden, Snopes reported.
Moreover, major changes were the removal of a restriction on a Russian-backed nuclear project in Hungary, and the date extension until which transactions with certain sanctioned Russian entities could be authorized.
Furthermore, there was no evidence that Trump lifted all sanctions on Russia or made a broad policy shift, the fact-checking outlet reported.
The full text of GL 115B is available on the Treasury's website and shows that the license was issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, an agency within the Treasury, on June 27, 2025, during Trump's second term in office, under an executive order that was signed by Biden.
The former president signed EO 14024 on April 15, 2021, titled "Executive Order on Blocking Property with Respect to Specified Harmful Foreign Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation."
Trump to have 'major statement' on Russia on July 14
President Trump announced that he would have a "major statement" on Russia on Monday, July 14.
The POTUS said, "You'll be seeing things happen. I think I’ll have a major statement to make on Russia on Monday."
The commander-in-chief seems to have taken a U-turn on Vladimir Putin.
Axios reported that Trump would announce an "aggressive" weapons plan for Ukraine.
This comes before the meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte next week, as the latter is doing his best to favour Trump at the recent summit.
Meanwhile, Trump, who earlier said he was sending military equipment to Ukraine, added that the US was sending Patriot missiles but declined to comment on the number.
