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Ukraine, allies criticize easing of US sanctions on Russian oil
2026-03-14 00:02:07 / BOTA
The United States' decision to ease some sanctions on Russian oil sales has sparked strong reactions from European leaders, who fear the move could prolong the war in Ukraine, according to the BBC.
French President Emmanuel Macron said there was “no justification” for the decision, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called it “wrong.” European Council President Antonio Costa also warned that the situation was “very worrying.”
They say allowing Russia to sell more oil could significantly increase the Kremlin's revenues, giving Moscow more resources to finance the war. Russia has been under US and European sanctions since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The administration of US President Donald Trump had also imposed sanctions on countries that bought Russian oil and gas, including major consumers like India. However, due to the turmoil in global energy markets caused by the war between the US, Israel and Iran, Washington has decided to temporarily relax these measures.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a temporary suspension of sanctions on Russian oil already in tankers at sea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the decision could bring Russia about $10 billion in additional revenue and “certainly does not help achieve peace.”
Meanwhile, Russia could use the proceeds to ease the strain on its war economy, buying more weapons and recruiting soldiers for the front. European leaders fear that the temporary relief from sanctions could become a permanent policy, which would make it even harder to reach a peace deal.
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