Several European countries have strongly criticized the decision by Donald Trump to relax some United States sanctions on Russian oil.
The decision was made during a growing crisis in the Middle East that has already started to affect global oil supply and energy prices.
Leaders from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Norway said they disagree with the move.
According to them, the international community should continue putting strong pressure on Russia because of its ongoing war with Ukraine.
The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, criticized the situation and warned that Russia and Iran might be trying to influence the global economy through the current conflict and energy crisis.
Germany’s Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, also said the U.S. decision to temporarily ease sanctions on Russian oil was the wrong step.
The Trump administration reportedly allowed some Russian oil shipments that were stranded at sea to enter the market in order to help reduce the sharp increase in global oil prices.
However, Merz said easing sanctions sends the wrong message. According to him, Russia has not shown any real willingness to start peace negotiations regarding the war in Ukraine. He added that Europe believes pressure on Moscow should continue rather than be reduced.
Merz also stressed that support for Ukraine must remain strong even though the world is now facing a new conflict in the Middle East.
At the same time, tensions in the region have increased as U.S. and Israeli forces carried out airstrikes on targets in Iran and Lebanon. These attacks have worsened the crisis and disrupted global oil transportation.
The conflict has nearly shut down the important Strait of Hormuz, a narrow sea passage through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas shipments normally pass.
During a media interview, Trump also suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin may be offering some assistance to Iran during the conflict.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron insisted that the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz should not be used as a reason to remove sanctions on Russia.
