The decision by the United States to loosen certain sanctions on Russian oil exports has sparked a wave of criticism from several European leaders, who warn that the move could strengthen Moscow at a critical moment in the war in Ukraine.
Emmanuel Macron said there was “no justification” for the step taken by Washington. Meanwhile, Friedrich Merz described the decision as “wrong,” and António Costa called it “very concerning.” European officials fear that allowing Russia to expand its oil sales will channel billions of additional dollars into Kremlin coffers.
Their concern is heightened by the fact that Russia is already benefiting from a surge in global oil prices, which have climbed sharply amid the widening conflict in the Middle East. European leaders argue that any additional financial relief for Moscow could undermine efforts to limit its ability to finance the war.
Russia has been under extensive US and European sanctions since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The sanctions targeted key sectors of the Russian economy, particularly energy exports, which are a major source of government revenue.
Under the administration of Donald Trump, Washington had also imposed penalties on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, including large energy consumers such as India. Those measures were intended to restrict Russia’s ability to fund its military operations.
However, with global energy markets increasingly unsettled by the expanding confrontation involving the United States, Israel, and Iran—as well as Iranian retaliation against allies in the Gulf region—Trump’s administration has opted to temporarily relax some of those restrictions.
Late on Thursday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that sanctions on Russian oil shipments already at sea would be temporarily suspended. The move allows tankers currently transporting Russian crude to proceed with deliveries without facing immediate penalties.
Speaking at a news conference in Paris after meeting his French counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the decision could deliver a major financial windfall to Moscow. He estimated the measure alone could be worth around $10bn (£7.5bn) to Russia.
“This certainly does not help peace,” Zelensky said, arguing that increased revenues would ease pressure on Russia’s war economy.
European officials say that the more money Russia earns from energy exports, the greater its capacity to sustain military operations. Additional income could enable the Kremlin to purchase more weapons and equipment while continuing to recruit soldiers for the front lines.
In recent months, Russia has been experiencing growing strain on its public finances. The government has reportedly been forced to sell portions of its gold reserves and raise consumption taxes in order to shore up revenues. Increased oil sales could significantly relieve that financial pressure.
From the perspective of European capitals, the timing of Washington’s decision is particularly troubling. Ukraine has just endured a difficult winter and has recently managed to reclaim some territory from Russian forces. Ukrainian military operations have also struck targets deep inside Russian territory, signaling an effort to shift momentum on the battlefield.
At the same time, Russia has been grappling with economic tensions and difficulties in recruiting enough troops to replace heavy losses. Reports suggest that Russian forces continue to suffer around 1,000 casualties—both killed and wounded—almost every day.
Now, however, Moscow appears poised to receive an economic boost just as its opponents become increasingly preoccupied by the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
Diplomatic contacts between the United States and Russia have also continued. Only days ago, senior officials from the Trump administration and the Kremlin reportedly held a meeting in Miami, although few details about the discussions have been made public.
Meanwhile, Ukraine itself is facing financial difficulties. Promised European Union funding worth €90bn ($103bn; £77bn) has been delayed because of a dispute with Hungary.
Kyiv is also under pressure from the European Union to repair and reopen a key pipeline running through Ukrainian territory that was damaged by Russian strikes earlier this year. The pipeline normally carries—remarkably—Russian oil to Hungary and other parts of Europe.
Hungarian officials have accused Ukraine of delaying repairs, while Ukrainian authorities insist that the damage caused by the strikes in January is extensive and will take considerable time to fix.
The widening war involving Iran is therefore having consequences far beyond the Middle East, influencing energy markets, diplomatic relations, and the balance of power in Europe’s ongoing conflict.
Envoys representing President Trump have been working to broker a potential end to the war in Ukraine. Yet European leaders argue that Washington’s unilateral decision to ease sanctions on Russia could weaken diplomatic leverage and make meaningful progress in peace negotiations more difficult.
There is growing concern within European governments that the temporary easing of sanctions could eventually become permanent.
A spokesperson for Keir Starmer reiterated that allies must continue to apply strong economic pressure on Russia.
“The best way to stop Russia from supporting hostile actors is to maintain collective pressure and bring the war in Ukraine to an end,” the spokesperson said.
For the moment, however, that collective pressure appears to be weakening—while the Kremlin stands to benefit from the changing geopolitical landscape.
