Germany rejects lifting sanctions on Russian crude oil and warns of “benefits” for Moscow

The German Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul, refused this Tuesday to lift sanctions on Russian crude oil, even temporarily, and accused Moscow of “benefiting from the crisis in the Middle East” following the offensive launched on February 28 by the United States and Israel against Iran.

Wadephul, who has met with his Greek counterpart, Giorgos Gerapetritis, has pointed out that Russia “is one of the parties that benefits the most from the current crisis” and has denounced that “the increase in the price of oil and gas” allows Moscow to “fill its war coffers.”

“Russia leaves no doubt that it wants to continue its war against Ukraine unabated,” Wadephul said. Therefore, he stressed that the EU and Germany, among other countries, must “further support energy sanctions and cut Russia’s income with new measures.” “Making sanctions more flexible now is, in any case, a false step,” he stated.

The German minister explained that the current crisis “requires all possible attention”, but stressed that “the situation in Ukraine remains the absolute security priority” for Germany.

US Finance Secretary Scott Bessent said last week that any country could temporarily buy Russian oil already on board ships and declared that the goal was to “improve supply on the world market,” a decision that had already been criticized by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

For their part, Russian authorities have stated that the temporary lifting of sanctions on Russian crude oil is aimed at “stabilizing the energy market” in the midst of the crisis due to the offensive in the Middle East, which is causing a significant increase in the price of a barrel of Brent.

Since the beginning of the offensive launched by the United States and Israel, responded to by Iran and pro-Iranian militias in the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz, through which around a quarter of the world’s maritime oil trade usually circulates – in addition to a significant volume of liquefied natural gas and fertilizers – has been the scene of a significant reduction in maritime traffic, as well as repeated attacks against some of the few ships that have attempted to cross it.