Germany won't lift Russia sanctions despite Trump's decision
Photo: Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany (Getty Images)
Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his team will maintain sanctions against Russia despite US President Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily lift restrictions on Russian fuel, according to Reuters.
"The federal government has taken note of the US decision relating to Russian diesel deliveries," government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said.
He said Germany’s position remained clear: Berlin would not ease sanctions pressure on Russia as long as it continued its war against Ukraine.
Moreover, Kornelius added that Germany was already working with its European allies on new restrictions to force the Kremlin to come to the negotiating table.
He also stressed that Germany’s support for Ukraine remained unchanged and that diplomatic efforts to reach a settlement would continue.
What is known about Trump’s decision on Russia
On October 9, the White House announced that Russia would supply millions of tons of diesel fuel to the US and global markets.
Trump said he had instructed the US Treasury Department to issue a temporary license allowing Russia to begin deliveries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted sharply to the decision.
It later emerged that the US president had publicly thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for the diesel deal and responded with a single word to Zelenskyy’s criticism.
It is worth noting that Trump said that Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries—not ongoing conflict in the Middle East—are driving up diesel prices.
