U.S. Waives Russian Oil Sanctions for 30 Days; Zelensky Says Move Fuels Russia's Invasion

The U.S. Treasury on Thursday announced a 30-day waiver on Russian oil sanctions intended to free up cargoes stranded at sea and ease supply shortages caused by the Iran war.

“French President Emmanuel Macron stressed on Friday that France's position in the war in the Middle East will remain "purely defensive" following the death of the first French soldier in an Iranian drone attack in Iraq”

El Mundo

The waiver was presented by Washington as a temporary step to stabilise markets, and French leaders said they hoped the waiver would be limited while emphasising that broad sanctions on Russia remain in place.

El Mundo

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sharply condemned the move as "not the right decision."

He warned that the easing alone could provide Russia with roughly $10 billion to fund its invasion and argued that greater energy revenues would strengthen Moscow’s position and be used to buy weapons.

Los Angeles Times

Several G7 leaders pushed back against Washington’s step, with reports noting that Germany and France viewed the waiver as the wrong signal.

“French President Emmanuel Macron stressed on Friday that France's position in the war in the Middle East will remain "purely defensive" following the death of the first French soldier in an Iranian drone attack in Iraq”

El Mundo

French officials emphasised a defensive stance in the region while European leaders such as European Council President António Costa warned lifting sanctions hands Russia an advantage amid rising energy prices.

Analysts and leaders pointed to concrete risks from the waiver: the articles note that Moscow relies heavily on oil revenue to finance its invasion.

They also say that spiralling oil prices are already benefiting Russia, and that U.S.-mediated talks between Moscow and Kyiv were paused because of the Iran war even as officials suggested they could resume soon.

Los Angeles Times

Zelensky and his partners are also leveraging Ukraine’s military expertise to pursue advanced weaponry, underscoring how the waiver sits amid broader strategic and diplomatic manoeuvres.