European leaders criticize US easing sanctions on Russian oil

Thedecision to temporarily easethe sanctions imposedby the United States on Russian oil exports on ships  has provokeda strong responsefrom European partners , and mostof them have opposed .  This American measure aims to contain the risein the price of oil caused by the Iranian war in the Strait of Hormuz.

EuropeanCouncil President Antonio Costa  has warned that the unilateral US decision is "very worrying"because"it has a direct impact on European security ." According to Costa, easing economic measures against Moscow couldreduce international pressure on the Kremlin .

Thus, Costa has stressed that maintaining and increasing economic pressure on Russia is "crucialforRussiato accept a serious negotiation for a just and lasting peace . "In this regard, he has pointed out that economic sanctions\u00A0are one of themain instruments for forcing Moscow to negotiate theend of Ukraine's war .

French President EmmanuelMacron recalled that G7 members have spoken out against lifting the embargo on Russian oil. "Russia believes that the war in Iran will give it a truce. It is wrong. We insisted two days ago in the G7 that the price of oil should not change the sanctions policy imposed on Russia."

Macron has thus downplayed Trump's statements and ensured that the temporary easing of the embargo is "limited in time and under certain conditions, "so" economic sanctions are not waived. "

Likewise, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called it a "mistake"to ease sanctions now, and has advocated increasing pressure on Russia, seeing that it shows no willingness to negotiate the end of the war in Ukraine." So we will continue, and we must continue, to increase pressure on Moscow, "he added.

In the same vein, theNorwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Store , has been opposed to lifting sanctions on Russian crude oil. "The most important message we can send to Russia is du to abandon this war, which should also take place largely through the energy sector, "he said.

On the contrary, Hungaryhas urged the EU to follow the example of theUS and ease sanctions against Russian crude oil, which is in fact dependent on Russian crude oil and Moscow's best ally within the EU.

Easing sanctions on Russian oil will give Moscow $10 billion

In this context, Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski has warned that easing these sanctions reinforces Moscow's position and gives it an additional $10 billion to continue the war against Ukraine.

"That doesn'tmean helping peace, of course, "Zelenski lamented, pointing out that Washington's decision promotes a"logicof war "in favor of Russia that will affect the entire Middle East region in one direction or another.