Macron Says US Waivers on Russian Oil Sanctions Are Temporary

French President Emmanuel Macron said that recent U.S. waivers related to sanctions on Russian oil are limited and temporary, emphasizing that the broader Western sanctions framework against Moscow remains firmly in place. Macron made the remarks during a press conference in Paris alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The U.S. Treasury recently announced a 30‑day waiver allowing certain transactions involving Russian oil. The move is intended to release Russian cargoes already stranded at sea and help ease supply shortages in global energy markets triggered by disruptions linked to the conflict involving Iran.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy criticized the decision, warning that easing sanctions could strengthen Russia financially during the ongoing war. According to Zelenskyy, revenue generated from energy exports plays a key role in financing Russia’s military operations against Ukraine.

Macron stressed that the U.S. measure should not be interpreted as a rollback of sanctions. Instead, he described it as an exceptional and narrowly targeted step designed to address short‑term energy market disruptions while maintaining the overall sanctions pressure imposed by Western countries on Russia since the invasion of Ukraine.