Germany warned Friday that the United States' easing of some oil sanctions on Russia to tackle surging energy costs caused by the Middle East war was wrong and could help fund Moscow's war against Ukraine.Chancellor Friedrich Merz, speaking on a visit to Norway, said that "easing sanctions now, for whatever reason, is wrong. We believe that is the wrong course of action".
"After all, we want to ensure that Russia does not exploit the war in Iran to weaken Ukraine."
Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said earlier in Berlin that she was "concerned that we are further filling (Vladimir) Putin's war chest".
Merz said that G7 leaders had spoken with US President Donald Trump "about the issue of oil and gas deliveries from Russia". G7 leaders held a video summit on Wednesday.
"Six members of the G7 were very clear in their opinion that this would not send the right signal. We then learnt this morning that the American government has apparently decided otherwise. Again, we believe this is wrong."
Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, speaking alongside Merz, said that Oslo is "extremely sceptical" about easing oil sanctions.
