Ukraine and allies fear easing Russian sanctions will prolong war

Ukraine's president says the US decision "certainly does not help achieve peace".

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President Emmanuel Macron of France said there was "no justification" for it. Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany said the decision was "wrong". EU Council President Antonio Costa said it was "very concerning".

Russia is already benefiting from rising oil prices driven by the Middle East war.

These European leaders fear that allowing Russia to sell more of its oil will give an even bigger boost to Kremlin coffers.

Russia has been under US and European sanctions since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.