Germany will continue enforcing sanctions on Russia and supporting Ukraine, the government said on Saturday, after US President Donald Trump announced a temporary lifting of US sanctions on Russian fuel intended to allow diesel supplies to reach global markets.
Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said Berlin had taken note of the US decision concerning Russian diesel deliveries. However, he said Germany’s policy had not changed.
“The federal government remains committed to the decisions on sanctions against Russia and is working with its European partners on further sanctions,” Kornelius said in a statement.
He added that Germany’s support for Ukraine remained unchanged and that diplomatic work aimed at finding a solution would continue.
Trump said on Friday that Russia had agreed to supply diesel to global markets in an effort to bring down fuel prices. He said his administration had temporarily lifted US sanctions on Russian fuel, measures originally intended to restrict Moscow’s revenue for its war against Ukraine.
Diesel is used in agriculture, home heating and trucking. Prices have climbed close to record levels, creating a political risk for Trump’s fellow Republicans ahead of the November 3 congressional elections, which will decide whether the party retains its narrow control of Congress.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv last weekend and has repeatedly said Germany would not scale back its backing for the Ukrainian government. Germany is Ukraine’s largest European donor.
Source: The Straits Times, reporting Reuters.
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