U.S. President Donald Trump has extended for another year the ban on Russian vessels entering the ports of the United States. This applies to ships sailing under the Russian flag, those owned by Russian companies, or operated with the involvement of Russian interests, as reported by U.S. Federal Register.
As stated in the notice, the actions and policies of the Russian government continue to pose an extraordinary threat to the international relations of the United States, and therefore the restrictive measures remain in effect. The document will officially enter into force on April 17 and will remain valid for at least one year.
The text states that Trump is extending the state of emergency with respect to Russia, established in Proclamation 10371, and is maintaining the authorities that allow regulation of the berthing and movement of vessels related to Russia in American ports.
The initial ban on Russian ships entering U.S. ports was introduced on April 21, 2022, when Joe Biden was president. The goal of these measures was to strengthen the international isolation of Russia amid its ongoing war against Ukraine. At that time, Biden stated that no ship under the Russian flag, or operated by Russian companies, would be permitted to enter American ports or approach the shores of the United States.
In April 2024, Biden extended the validity of this ban, providing exceptions only for force majeure situations. These include, for example, crew disembarkation of any nationality, crew changes, provision of emergency medical assistance, or the performance of other humanitarian tasks. Now, these rules remain in effect for another year by decision of Donald Trump.
Let us recall that the United States introduced the ban on Russian ships entering American ports with the aim of strengthening the international isolation of the Russian Federation, which continues its armed aggression against Ukraine.
