The European Union has criticized the removal of sanctions on Russian diesel, saying the move hands Moscow the resources to continue its war, according to Le Monde.fr. The French outlet reported the EU's position on Saturday as part of its live coverage of the war in Ukraine.
The sanctions relief follows an agreement between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Le Monde.fr reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the deal with irony, commenting on the Russian president's "gratitude," according to Yahoo Actualités.
The economic effects are now being debated in France. Le Figaro examined whether diesel prices at French pumps could fall after the Trump-Putin agreement, citing an economist's assessment. RFI also looked at the broader consequences of the Moscow-Washington oil deal and the lifting of U.S. sanctions.
Diplomatic activity continued alongside the dispute. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff described "constructive discussions" with Ukrainian and European representatives, Le Monde.fr reported.
The EU's objection centers on the argument that diesel revenue strengthens Russia's ability to sustain its military campaign. The reporting does not specify the scope of the lifted measures or their expected impact on global fuel markets.
What to watch next: whether the EU moves to offset the U.S. decision with measures of its own, and how the diesel price question develops in France.
