Europe Slams Trump’s Relaxation of Russia Sanctions – Several top European politicians have slammed the deal, made by President Donald Trump, to allow more Russian diesel fuel into international markets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy argued it was a “gift” to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war efforts, as EU foreign ministers agreed on Monday to impose sanctions on 1,600 individuals and entities.
Trump Announces Agreement on Russian Diesel Fuel
Putin with a Rifle. Image Credit: Russian State Media.
President Donald J. Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin during the G20 Japan Summit Friday, June 28, 2019, in Osaka, Japan. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)
President Trump announced the agreement Friday, saying his discussions with Putin were “highly successful,” and that Russia is now set to send 300,000-plus tons of diesel fuel to the United States and the world market. Moreover, Russia would send 500,000 tons of diesel fuel to America and the world in November, with another million tons soon after.
Trump said Moscow would send another 3 million tons of diesel fuel soon, but it is unclear how soon.
He expects diesel prices to drop, writing to social media that they are: “COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!”
Later that day, the Treasury Department issued General License 135, which allows transfers, sales, and imports of Russian diesel fuel into the United States.
The license does not authorize debits from accounts held at U.S. financial institutions by Russia’s central bank, National Wealth Fund, or Finance Ministry.
Moscow is set to benefit from the deal, although it is unclear how much diesel fuel will reach the U.S. and the world market given existing restrictions.
According to Reuters, the 300,000 tons of diesel fuel would be worth about $400 million, of which only a small part would go to the Russian budget.
In addition, the delivery of fuel to the U.S. and the world market may be hindered by attacks on Russian oil refineries, carried out by Ukrainian drones, as well as the sanctions imposed on tankers carrying this fuel.
According to a Reuters source, 300,000 tons of diesel fuel would be enough to cover less than a day’s worth of travel for the U.S. transportation sector.
EU Ministers Vow to Continue Sanctions
On Monday, the EU foreign ministers met in Luxembourg and agreed to continue imposing sanctions on Russia.
The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said: “We are now adopting 1,600 listings because we only see that pressure on Russia would work. Russia has started this war. We should not forget about this. We should put the pressure on Russia so that they will stop.”
Sweden’s foreign minister, Maria Malmer Stenergard, was even harsher.
“I very much regret this,” she said about the U.S. agreement to relax sanctions, adding, “I hope it will not go into force.”
UK, Poland Stand by Ukraine
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke in the House of Commons on Monday, welcoming Trump’s “energy ceasefire,” which he proposed would free up additional supplies of Russian diesel fuel for international markets “without rewarding the aggressor.”
Britain has already expanded its sanctions to cover more than 90 percent of Russia’s oil production.
In a recent statement, the UK government said, “Russia could end this war today.”
Trump Accuses Europe of Hypocrisy
“I made the right choice for the American People,” President Trump wrote on Truth Social, responding to criticism from European officials.
Figures tracked by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), found that the European Union has paid some €238.6 billion to Russia for fossil fuels since February 2022.
“Gifts to Putin will not bring peace,” Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said, reacting to Trump’s announcement on Friday.
The dispute flared up again on Sunday, after Trump said Moscow and Kyiv had agreed to a ceasefire in the conflict over energy facilities.
“They agreed because I said they agreed. And that thing has to get settled,” President Trump told reporters on Monday in response to questions about the deal.
On Monday, Zelenskyy said Russia had launched six attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, while Peskov said only that contacts are ongoing.
Reuters reports that on Tuesday, Russia’s overnight attacks did not target any of Ukraine’s energy facilities, but other Russian attacks resulted in four deaths in Kharkiv.
About the Author: Georgia Gilholy
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
