Berlin Stands Firm on Sanctions
Germany has officially confirmed that it will maintain its sanctions against Russia, rejecting any alignment with the recent US decision to ease restrictions on Russian fuel exports.
In a statement released on Saturday, government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius noted that the federal government had taken note of the US administration's move regarding Russian diesel deliveries. However, he clarified that this does not alter Berlin's policy.
"The federal government remains committed to the decisions on sanctions against Russia and is working with its European partners on further sanctions," Kornelius said. He added that Germany's support for Ukraine remains unchanged and that diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict would continue.
US Eases Fuel Restrictions
The German statement follows an announcement by US President Donald Trump on Friday. Trump stated that Russia had agreed to supply diesel to global markets to help lower fuel prices. Consequently, his administration temporarily lifted US sanctions on Russian fuel, which were originally designed to deprive Moscow of revenue for its war in Ukraine.
The decision comes as diesel prices, used for agriculture, heating, and trucking, have risen to near-record levels. High fuel costs pose a political risk for Republicans ahead of the November 3 congressional elections, where their control of Congress is at stake.
Continued Support for Ukraine
Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who visited Kyiv last weekend, has repeatedly emphasized that Germany will not reduce its support for the Ukrainian government. As Ukraine's largest European donor, Berlin's stance signals a continued commitment to the country's defense and economic stability, independent of shifting US policies.