March 13, New Delhi – European leaders have expressed concern following the U.S.'s issuance of a 30-day waiver, allowing countries to purchase sanctioned Russian oil currently stranded at sea.
The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, stated that this unilateral move undermines pressure on Russia and could impact European security.
The decision has also drawn criticism from several European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
They warned that easing sanctions could weaken efforts to curb Moscow's revenues during the war in Ukraine.
However, the Kremlin welcomed the decision, stating that Russian oil remains vital for global market stability.