In brief
Ukrainian President Zelensky condemned the US extension of a waiver allowing Russia to sell oil until May 16, as each dollar spent on Russian oil supports the war effort against Ukraine. The US defends the move as a necessary response to energy supply issues amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Zelensky highlighted the detrimental effects this decision could have on Ukraine, citing that over 110 Russian oil tankers are operational and the revenue will be used to fund military aggression in Ukraine.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned a US decision to extend the period during which Russia is allowed to sell oil despite Western sanctions.
The move means countries can purchase Russian oil and petroleum products already loaded on vessels at sea until 16 May.
The US argues that the waiver is meant to ease the energy supply crunch sparked by the US-Israel war with Iran.
But in his remarks on Sunday, Zelensky said every dollar paid for Russian oil is money for the war in Ukraine. Widespread sanctions have been in place against Russia since President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022.
The devastating US and Israel attacks against Iran have prompted it to retaliate not only against Israel and US military bases in the Gulf, but also against energy fatalities and other civilian sites across Arab allies of the US in the region.
Additionally, Iran has virtually shut the Strait of Hormuz - the narrow passage where some 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) is usually transported through.
This has led to turmoil in energy markets, with fears that a world recession may ensue if it is not reopened soon.
The US move to ease Russian sanctions on 13 March was widely condemned by Zelensky as well as his European allies.
Extending the waiver on Friday, the US said it wanted to ensure oil is available to those who need it as negotiations to end the war accelerate.
The Ukrainian leader said Russia had more than 110 tankers from its shadow fleet - vessels with obscured ownership designed to help it bypass sanctions - with over 12 million tons of oil.
Their sale, he added, would bring $10bn (£7.4bn) to Moscow's coffers as a resource that is directly converted into new strikes against Ukraine.
Russia has launched over 2,360 attack drones, more than 1,320 guided aerial bombs, and nearly 60 missiles of various types at our cities and communities in the past week.
Ukraine's ongoing efforts include attacks on Russia, particularly its energy facilities, yet the war remains at a stalemate, with Russia controlling about 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Efforts led by the US to end the war have been put on hold as a result of the war in Iran.
