The President of the European Council has criticized Donald Trump's decision to temporarily authorize the purchase of Russian oil to try to contain the price escalation. "The unilateral decision of the United States to lift sanctions on Russian oil exports is very concerning as it affects European security," António Costa stated on his X social media profile.
"Increasing economic pressure on Russia is crucial for it to accept serious negotiations leading to a just and lasting peace. Weakening sanctions increases Russia's resources to continue the aggression against Ukraine," added the Council's representative.
Brussels was not the only critical voice. A spokesperson for the European Commission also stated that "Russia should not benefit at all from the war in Iran," to which a second source added that "as President [Von der Leyen] made very clear this week, it is not the time to relax sanctions against Russia."
"Russia has been earning an additional $150 million per day from oil sales since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, making Russia likely the biggest beneficiary of this conflict," emphasized the statement.
From Berlin, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also expressed opposition to the US President's decision. "Relaxing sanctions, regardless of the reasons, is something we consider a mistake," he pointed out at a press conference in Norway with his Norwegian counterpart, Jonas Gahr Støre, as reported by EFE.
"Within the G7 framework, we spoke with the US President, and there was a clear position from six G7 members. We saw this morning that the US government decided otherwise. We find it wrong. We have a price problem, not a quantity problem. We do not know the reasons behind the US government's decision that led to this," Merz emphasized, making it clear that Trump's decision is erroneous.
"The President of the United States is taking decisive steps to promote stability in global energy markets and work to keep prices low while addressing the threat and instability posed by the Iranian terrorist regime. To expand the global reach of existing supply, the Treasury is granting a temporary authorization allowing countries to purchase Russian oil currently stranded at sea," stated Scott Bessent, head of the mentioned organization, on his X account.
"This limited and short-term measure applies only to oil already in transit and will not provide significant financial benefit to the Russian government, which derives most of its energy revenues from taxes applied at the extraction point," Bessent added. The measure has been welcomed by Moscow, which believes that "the United States is effectively recognizing what is evident: without Russian oil, the global energy market cannot remain stable."