European leaders presented a united front in criticizing the U.S. decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil to lessen the impact of the Iran war on global energy markets.
European leaders have been divided on the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran but are united in their desire to continue a maximum pressure campaign against Russia over its war with Ukraine. After the United States gave a 30-day waiver for countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil on Thursday due to the war in Iran, European leaders were quick to denounce the move.
“We think that’s wrong,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said at a press conference alongside Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. “There is currently a price problem, but not a supply problem. And in that regard, I would like to know what other factors led the U.S. government to make this decision.”
He disclosed that the move came as a shock and was against the wishes of the Group of Seven leaders, as expressed during a video call with President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
“We want to ensure that Russia does not exploit the war in Iran to weaken Ukraine,” Merz said. “Nor will we allow Moscow to test NATO on its eastern flank and up here in the north.”
António Costa, president of the European Council, criticized the U.S. decision on social media, saying the unabated continuation of economic pressure on Russia was vital to ending the war in Ukraine.
“Increasing economic pressure on Russia is decisive for it to accept a serious negotiation for a just and lasting peace,” Costa said. “Weakening sanctions increases Russian resources to wage the war of aggression against Ukraine.”
Speaking before the announcement of the lifting of Russian sanctions, French President Emmanuel Macron also denounced the possibility. He said the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz would “in no way justify lifting the sanctions” on Russia.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen similarly preempted the move by denouncing the possibility in a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Germany. After highlighting the negative effects experienced by Europe over the crisis, she argued against the urge to return to cheap Russian energy.
“Yet in the current crisis, some argue that we should abandon our long-term strategy and even go back to Russian fossil fuels,” von der Leyen said. “This would be a strategic blunder. It would make us more dependent, more vulnerable, and weaker.”
EUROPE FLAILS IN RESPONSE TO IRAN CONFLICT AS STRAIT OF HORMUZ CLOSURE THREATENS ENERGY SUPPLY
The comments by European leaders come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues his diplomatic tour of Europe, aiming to shore up allied support as the war with Russia continues to drag on with no end in sight. He met with Macron on Friday, after which the French president is likely to increase his pleas to the U.S. to reaffirm sanctions on Russian oil.
Europe has been acutely hit by the war in Iran, with gas prices more than doubling. Despite the popular backlash this is bound to trigger, European leaders are so far united in viewing their support for Ukraine as a higher priority than cheaper energy.