German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized the measures taken by the United States to ease the sanctions imposed on Russia, which he described as “wrong.”
The Trump administration is temporarily allowing the delivery and sale of seaborne Russian crude oil—which is under sanctions—as part of an attempt to moderate skyrocketing oil prices; a measure that, most likely, will also be beneficial for the Kremlin.
From Norway, where he is overseeing NATO military exercises, the German chancellor declared: “I want to make this very clear: easing sanctions now, for whatever reason, is something we consider wrong.”
Merz added that he wants to “ensure” that Russia “does not take advantage of the war in Iran to weaken Ukraine.”
Chancellor Merz has resisted being drawn into the war between the United States and Israel against Iran; a position that finds echo in the rest of the European nations.
His comments have had repercussions in other parts of Europe. A spokesman for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that “all partners should keep up pressure on Russia and its financial reserves for war,” while Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, described the measure as “very worrying.”
Merz has been a leading voice in ensuring the protection of European interests, specifically those of its citizens, as well as its military and economic interests.
Although he declared immediately after the outbreak of the conflict that “it was not the time to lecture partners and allies,” after a visit to the White House last week, he did note that he was not clear about what the United States’ plan was to end the war.
Germany has been an outstanding financial supporter for Ukraine. The chancellor’s top priority is to ensure that kyiv remains high on the agenda. There are concerns that as Iran continues to monopolize the Trump administration’s attention, Ukraine could be relegated to the background.
