European Union officials have condemned the Trump administration’s decision to temporarily ease sanctions on Russian oil, warning it strengthens Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine.
The move, announced by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, aims to ease global energy prices amid conflict in the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday (13 March) that the move would “strengthen Russia’s position” as US-backed efforts to reach an agreement to end the more than four-year war appear to have stalled.
“It is spending the money it earns from energy sales on weapons, and all of this is then being used against us,” said Zelenskyy, speaking alongside his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, during a news conference in Paris.
“Just this easing [of sanctions] by America could provide Russia with around $10bn for the war. This certainly does not help peace,” he said.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that “easing sanctions now, for whatever reason, would be wrong” and said that support for Ukraine should not become “distracted or dissuaded” by the war in Middle East in a press conference Friday.
Merz said six of the seven G7 leaders had agreed that lifting sanctions was not “the right signal to send” when they held a joint meeting this week. The US was the exception.
Key developments:
• The US permit allows importers to offload Russian crude and petroleum products stranded at sea, effective until 11 April.
• European Council President António Costa warned Russia would be the sole beneficiary, bolstering its military finances.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron urged enforcement of price caps and continuation of sanctions, citing risks to European security.
ℹ️ Euronews, Al Jazeera
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