Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Sunday said Bangladesh needs to seek a waiver from the United States to purchase Russian oil as the US has imposed restrictions on all countries regarding such purchases.

“Restrictions are in place for all countries regarding the purchase of Russian oil. Therefore, you need to seek a waiver from these restrictions,” he told reporters at after the first courtesy meeting between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen.

After the meeting, the US Ambassador described his meeting with Prime Minister Tarique as ‘very productive.”

“I am looking forward to working together as we pursue common goals that benefit the people of both Bangladesh and the United States," said Ambassador Christensen.

The Foreign Minister said there is no secret deal with the United States, stressing that it is absolutely false that Bangladesh needs permission from the US.

Responding to a question, Dr Khalilur said some are claiming that Bangladesh needs to secure permission from the US due to a trade deal signed with the country which is completely false.

The US sanctioned Russian oil, forcing buyers to seek alternatives.

The US government last month temporarily eased sanctions to allow India to buy Russian oil currently stranded at sea amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The Foreign Minister, however, said there was no discussion regarding the Russian oil during the meeting with the US Ambassador.

Dr Khalilur said he had discussions on a number of issues with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, noting that they are unable to disclose those matters in the interest of confidentiality.

He, however, said the US Energy Secretary during the meeting at the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. on March 31expressed his country's commitment to support Bangladesh during these difficult times to help ensure its energy security. 

Regarding the meeting between the Prime Minister Tarique and the US Ambassador, the Foreign Minister said it was the first courtesy meeting and the two sides discussed cooperation between the two countries.

They discussed cooperation between the two countries in the areas of energy, trade and development, in addition to continued US support for the Rohingyas living in Bangladesh.  

Regarding diversified energy sourcing, the Foreign Minister said the government will continue its efforts to import energy from wherever it can obtain it at a lower price—be it India, countries in the Middle East, or the United States.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir was also present at the meeting.

During the meeting, the US Ambassador presented two photographs and a replica of the White House to the Prime Minister.

One photograph features martyred President Ziaur Rahman with former US President Jimmy Carter, while the other shows former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia with former US President George HW Bush.