Zelensky Condemns US Sanctions Waiver for Russian Oil, Citing War Funding Concerns
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned the United States' decision to extend a waiver permitting Russia to sell oil and petroleum products already loaded on vessels at sea until 16 May. Mr Zelensky stated that "every dollar paid for Russian oil is money for the war" in Ukraine, where widespread sanctions against Russia have been in place since February 2022.
The US rationale for extending the waiver is to mitigate energy supply shortages exacerbated by the US-Israel war with Iran. This conflict, initiated on 28 February by the United States and Israel, involved wide-ranging strikes on Iran, resulting in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader and hundreds of civilians, including 110 children at a primary school on the first day. Iran's subsequent retaliation against US military bases and Arab allies, alongside its virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial passage for 20% of global oil and LNG—has created significant turmoil in international energy markets.
Mr Zelensky highlighted Russia's "shadow fleet" of over 110 tankers, which he claims carry "over 12 million tons" of oil. He estimated that the sale of this oil would generate USD#10 billion for Moscow, directly funding new attacks on Ukraine. In the past week alone, Russia reportedly launched "over 2,360 attack drones, more than 1,320 guided aerial bombs, and nearly 60 missiles of various types" against Ukrainian cities. This included a particularly deadly attack on 15 April, which involved over 700 drones and missiles and killed at least 18 people.
Despite a stalemate in the Ukraine conflict, with Russia controlling approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory, US efforts to broker a peace settlement have been paused due to the ongoing war in Iran.
