Zelensky condemns US extension of Russian sanctions waiver

The move means countries can purchase Russian oil and petroleum products already loaded on

UKRAINE’S President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned a US decision to extend the period during which Russia is allowed to sell oil despite Western sanctions.

But in his remarks yesterday, Zelensky said “every dollar paid for Russian oil is money for the war” in Ukraine.

Widespread sanctions have been in place against Russia since President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022.

Additionally, Iran has virtually shut the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow passage where some 20 per cent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) is usually transported through.

This has led to turmoil in energy markets, with fears that a world recession may ensue if it is not reopened soon.

The Ukrainian leader said Russia had more than 110 tanker vessels at sea until May 16.

The US argues that the waiver was meant to ease the energy supply crunch sparked by the US-Israel war with Iran.

The devastating US and Israel attacks against Iran have prompted it to retaliate not only against Israel and US military bases in the Gulf, but also against energy facilities and other civilian sites across Arab allies of the US in the region.

Russia had more than 110 tanker vessels at sea until May 16, many from its “shadow fleet” — vessels with obscured ownership designed to help it bypass sanctions — with “over 12 million tons” of oil.

Their sale, he added, would bring $10bn (£7.4bn) to Moscow’s coffers as “a resource that is directly converted into new strikes against Ukraine.”

The Ukrainian leader did not explain what those figures were based on.

But he added that just over the past week, Russia had launched “over 2,360 attack drones, more than 1,320 guided aerial bombs, and nearly 60 missiles of various types at our cities and communities”.

—AFP

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