French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the G7 will “in no way” reconsider its sanctions policy towards Russia despite the surge in oil prices due to the war in the Middle East. Macron emphasized on Friday, March 13, that Russia is mistaken if it hopes that “the war in Iran will give it a respite,” recalling the G7’s decision to “not reconsider” the sanctions policy against Moscow, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
“The context of rising oil prices should not in any way lead us to reconsider our sanctions policy towards Russia, this is the position that the G7 held, it is obviously the position of France and Europe,” explained the head of state during a press conference at the Élysée Palace with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Nothing will steer us away from Ukraine,” added the President, emphasizing France’s “determination” to “continue to provide all the equipment” to enable Kiev “to conduct its war of resistance.”
The United States relaxes sanctions
On Thursday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced authorization to sell Russian oil loaded onto ships before March 12 until April 11. Described as a “short-term measure,” this decision is a response to the surge in oil prices since the start of the war in Iran.
Last week, the US administration had already authorized the delivery of Russian oil blocked at sea to India for a month. Moscow requested a broader lifting of sanctions from Washington on Friday.
The European Union has criticized this “very worrying” unilateral lifting of sanctions. This decision “has implications for European security. The increasing economic pressure on Russia is crucial for it to accept serious negotiations with Ukraine,” emphasized Antonio Costa, the President of the European Council, the body representing the 27 European states.
“The weakening of sanctions increases Russian resources to wage the war of aggression against Ukraine,” he lamented on the X social network.
