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European nations have expressed their disapproval of Donald Trump’s decision to relax certain US sanctions on Russian oil in light of Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that the international community must sustain pressure on Moscow regarding its actions in Ukraine.
The United Kingdom has aligned with Germany, France, and Norway in opposing this decision, with Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, condemning what she characterized as Russia and Iran’s effort to “hijack the global economy.”
Friedrich Merz, the Chancellor of Germany, labeled Washington’s choice to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian oil stranded at sea as “incorrect,” as the Trump administration sought to address a rise in oil prices.
Merz stated: “We believe it is incorrect to ease the sanctions. Regrettably, Russia continues to demonstrate no willingness to engage in negotiations. Therefore, we must and will further intensify the pressure on Moscow.”
The Chancellor asserted that support for Ukraine should persist despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. “We will not permit ourselves to be dissuaded or distracted from this by the war with Iran,” he remarked.
This decision emerged as US and Israeli aircraft continued to strike Iran and Lebanon, contributing to a worsening regional crisis that has disrupted global oil supplies.
The conflict in the Middle East has nearly shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route in global trade, through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and seaborne gas tankers transit.
The European pushback occurred as Trump acknowledged for the first time that Russia had been aiding Iran during the conflict in an interview with Fox Radio.
“[Putin] might be helping a little bit, yes, I suppose,” Trump remarked.
“And he likely believes we’re assisting Ukraine, correct?” He queried.
Trump referenced reports from various US media outlets indicating that Russia had supplied targeting information to Iran for attacks on American forces amid the ongoing conflict.
Merz’s statements come in response to similar comments made by French President Emmanuel Macron, who remarked after a discussion with other G7 leaders regarding the economic consequences of the war in Iran that the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz “in no way” warranted the removal of sanctions on Russia.
However, Moscow asserted on Friday that it was “increasingly inevitable” for Washington to lift the sanctions.
The United States was “effectively recognizing the obvious: without Russian oil, the global energy market cannot maintain stability,” stated Russia’s economic envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, in a message on Telegram.
Oil price: Russia boasts as European leaders kick against Trump’s lifting of US sanctions
