Zelenskyy blasts Trump after a shocking decision rocks Ukraine’s war efforts
It’s great news for Russia, though.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned the recent US decision to ease some sanctions on Russian oil sales, a move he says “certainly does not help achieve peace” and could be worth a staggering $10 billion to Russia. This unexpected move from President Donald Trump has sparked widespread criticism from European leaders who fear it will only prolong the ongoing conflict and bolster the Kremlin’s war chest.
According to the BBC, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced late on Thursday a temporary suspension of sanctions on Russian oil already on tankers at sea. Zelenskyy, at a news conference in Paris, made it clear he views this as a significant setback. He believes that every dollar Russia earns eases the pressure on its war economy, allowing it to acquire more weapons and recruit additional soldiers for the front lines.
European allies are equally concerned. French President Emmanuel Macron stated there was “no justification” for the decision, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called it “wrong.” EU Council President Antonio Costa described the situation as “very concerning.” These leaders worry that allowing Russia to sell more oil will directly inject cash into Kremlin coffers, especially when it is already benefiting from rising oil prices fueled by the US-Israel war on Iran.
Russia is certainly reaping the benefits of Trump’s latest call
Russia has been under US and European sanctions since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. President Trump’s administration had even imposed sanctions on countries like India that were major consumers of Russian oil and gas. However, with world markets currently rattled by the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, and Iran’s retaliation in the Gulf impacting major energy producers, Trump has decided to ease these restrictions.
This timing couldn’t be worse for European leaders, especially as Ukraine has just endured a brutal winter and is making some progress, reclaiming territory and striking targets deep inside Russia. In recent months, Russia’s public finances have been under intense pressure, forcing the Kremlin to sell gold reserves and hike consumption taxes to generate revenue. This new economic boost from oil sales could alleviate that pressure significantly.
It’s a complex situation, with Ukraine itself struggling for cash as promised EU funds, totaling €90 billion, are being held up by a dispute with Hungary. Kyiv is also facing pressure from the EU to reopen a pipeline that carries Russian oil to Hungary and other regions that was damaged by Russian strikes in January. Ukrainian authorities say the damage is severe and will take time to repair, while Budapest accuses them of dragging their feet.
The war in Iran is definitely having far-reaching impacts. President Trump’s envoys have been working to end the war in Ukraine, but this unilateral decision to ease pressure on Russia seems to disregard the views of Ukraine and its European allies. It’s a move that will, unfortunately, make peace talks less likely to progress effectively for the time being.
There’s a real fear among European governments that this temporary easing of US sanctions on Russia could become a permanent fixture. A spokesman for UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the need for all allies to maintain pressure on Russia and its war funding. He stated that “the best way to continue to stop Russia supporting hostile actors is to continue on collective pressure and end the war in Ukraine.”
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