Published time: 19 Apr, 2017 21:32
© Jessica Rinaldi / Reuters
ExxonMobil has applied for a waiver from US sanctions against Russia to keep a claim to Black Sea oil exploration rights negotiated in 2012, the Wall Street Journal reported. Exxon’s former CEO Rex Tillerson is now US secretary of state.
The Journal reported on the application Wednesday afternoon, citing “people familiar with the matter,” who remain anonymous. The Treasury Department told the paper that it did not comment on waiver applications, while Exxon said it would not discuss government deliberations.
It is unclear whether Exxon filed the claim with the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control before Tillerson was appointed secretary of state by President Donald Trump, the WSJ said.
Tillerson has recused himself from any matters involving Exxon for two years, and will not be involved in any decisions by the US government involving the company during that period, the paper reported, citing a State Department spokesman.
Trump’s critics pounced on the report as proof of their allegations about the president’s improper financial ties with Russia.