Macron warns U.S. against lifting oil sanctions on Russia

French President Emmanuel Macron has firmly warned the U.S, not to lift the energy sanctions on Russia, even as the escalating war between the US, Israel, and Iran shuts down the vital Strait of Hormuz, sending global oil prices soaring past $119 a barrel.

In a statement on Monday, Macron insisted that the Hormuz blockade “in no way justifies lifting sanctions against Russia,” emphasizing the need for clear military and political goals in the Iran conflict instead of knee-jerk responses to energy shortages.

The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has deteriorated dramatically into one of the most severe energy supply crises in modern history. As of Wednesday, the narrow waterway – through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne crude oil and a significant portion of liquefied natural gas normally flow – remains effectively closed. Iran has declared the strait off-limits, threatening to attack or set ablaze any vessel attempting to pass, prompting most commercial tankers to avoid the route entirely.

Moreover, Iran has reportedly begun laying naval mines in the Strait of, with U.S. intelligence confirming a few dozen mines deployed in recent days and the U.S. military striking and destroying 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels on Wednesday, to counter the threat that could turn the vital oil chokepoint into a hazardous “hellscape” and further disrupt global energy supplies.

Macron’s comments come amid frantic international efforts to stabilize energy markets, including G7 plans for coordinated oil reserve releases and France’s proposal for a defensive naval mission to escort tankers through the strait. He also praised Ukraine for offering aid to Gulf states under attack, underscoring Europe’s commitment to supporting Kyiv despite the broader crisis.

U.S. granted India a temporary lifeline on Russian oil

The French leader’s stance highlights growing tensions within the Western alliance over how to handle Russia amid the oil crunch. Just days earlier, on 6 March, U.S. President Donald Trump approved a 30-day waiver allowing India to import Russian crude oil that was already loaded onto tankers before the Hormuz disruptions intensified. The move, announced by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, aims to prevent a deeper global supply shock by ensuring “oil keeps flowing into the market.”

India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, had previously scaled back Russian purchases under U.S. pressure, including a trade deal last month that lowered tariffs in exchange for halting buys from Moscow. But with the Iran war blocking key Middle East shipping routes with skyrocketing oil prices became a game changer. The waiver covers deliveries through early April and is framed as a one-off measure that won’t provide significant financial benefits to Russia, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Analysts see this as a pragmatic step by the Trump administration to ease global price pressures – crude has jumped 30% in recent weeks – without fully undermining the sanctions regime imposed over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. India welcomed the flexibility, with officials stressing that energy decisions are driven by national interests, not external approvals.

A nightmare scenario for the EU: diverging paths on sanctions

Macron’s resolute position throws into sharp relief a potential rift between the U.S. and EU. While the waiver to India is limited, it raises fears in Brussels that Washington could go further – perhaps easing broader restrictions on Russian energy exports to flood the market and cap prices amid the Hormuz crisis. President Trump has hinted at such flexibility in the past, prioritizing economic stability and US interests.

If the US were to lift or significantly loosen its sanctions on Russia while the EU maintains its hardline stance – banning most Russian oil imports since 2022 – it could create a “nightmarish problem” for Europe, experts warn. Russian oil could flow freely to non-EU markets like India and China, driving down global prices everywhere except in Europe. EU consumers and industries would face persistently high costs, exacerbating inflation and competitiveness issues already strained by the loss of cheap Russian gas. Also, such a divergence would undermine the unified Western front against Russia, potentially emboldening Moscow and weakening support for Ukraine. EU leaders like Macron have invested heavily in energy diversification (e.g., LNG terminals and renewables), but a U.S. shift could make Europe look isolated and economically disadvantaged.

Last but not least, the political backlash should not be underestimated, Domestically, EU governments could face public anger over higher fuel bills, while industries lobby for their own waivers. This might pressure weaker members to break ranks, fracturing EU solidarity.

Caption: French President Emmanuel Macron (C) chairs a video conference of G7 leaders to discuss the fallout of the war in Iran on the world economy, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 11 March 2026. EPA/Gonzalo Fuentes / POOL