Germany Keeps Russia Sanctions After Trump's Diesel Announcement
Germany said on Saturday it will maintain sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine, even after U.S. President Donald Trump temporarily lifted U.S. sanctions on Russian fuel. Berlin is working with European partners on further measures.
The German government said on Saturday that it will maintain its sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine. It was responding to U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement on Friday that his administration had temporarily lifted U.S. sanctions on Russian fuel. Those sanctions were designed to cut Moscow's revenues used to fund the war.
Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said in a statement that the federal government had taken note of the U.S. decision on Russian diesel deliveries. He stressed that Germany's position had not changed: it remains committed to existing sanctions decisions and is working with European partners on additional sanctions. Germany's support for Ukraine is unchanged, he said, and diplomatic efforts to find a solution will continue.
Trump: Russia to supply diesel to markets
Trump said on Friday that Russia had agreed to supply diesel to global markets in order to bring down fuel prices. Diesel is used in agriculture, home heating and trucking, and its prices have risen to near-record levels.
This poses a risk to Trump's fellow Republicans ahead of the November 3 congressional elections. The vote will decide whether they keep their thin majority in the U.S. Congress.
Germany's support for Ukraine
Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who visited Kyiv last weekend, has repeatedly said that Germany would not reduce its support for the Ukrainian government. Germany is Ukraine's largest European donor.
