Zelenskyy warns U.S. easing of sanctions on Russian oil gives Moscow billions to fuel aggression

In a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Kyiv, the United States has once again temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil exports. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright described the decision as “short-term, pragmatic” and aimed at redirecting already-flowing oil shipments to new markets, primarily in Asia.

According to reports, the U.S. Treasury Department extended a special license for another 30 days, allowing the delivery and sale of Russian crude oil and petroleum products that had already been loaded onto tankers and were at sea when previous restrictions were in place. Wright emphasized that the measure is temporary: “These are short-term, pragmatic decisions aimed at making the oil that is already flowing flow in a different direction, and they are temporary.”

The extension comes despite earlier public assurances from senior U.S. officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, that such waivers would not be renewed. The policy effectively permits the continued operation of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of tankers, which bypass traditional insurance and tracking mechanisms to export oil in circumvention of full Western sanctions.

Zelenskyy’s strong rebuttal: “Every dollar for Russian oil is money for war”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has forcefully condemned the U.S. decision, arguing that it directly bankrolls Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. In a statement issued on Sunday, Zelenskyy highlighted the massive financial windfall Moscow stands to gain:

“Every dollar for oil from Russia is money for war. More than 110 tankers of Moscow’s shadow fleet are currently at sea. On board – over 12 million tons of Russian oil, which, thanks to the easing of sanctions, can again be sold without consequences. This is $10 billion – a resource that is directly converted into new strikes on Ukraine.”

Zelenskyy stressed that these revenues “directly convert” into Russian military strikes on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. He urged international partners not to weaken sanctions, noting that oil income remains the Kremlin’s primary source of funding for the invasion. The Ukrainian leader also pointed to the effectiveness of Ukraine’s own long-range strikes on Russian oil facilities, which in March 2026 alone caused Russia losses of at least $2.3 billion – a figure expected to rise in April.

The president warned that such sanctions relief feeds “the Kremlin’s illusions about the possibility of continuing its aggression indefinitely” and called for Russian tankers to be stopped rather than allowed to deliver oil to ports around the world.

The U.S. move has sparked debate over the balance between energy-market pragmatism and strategic pressure on Russia. As the war enters its fifth year, the tension between short-term economic considerations and long-term security goals remains acute. Ukrainian officials, including Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Stefanishyna, have continued to press Washington to restore full sanctions pressure on Russian oil exports.

Caption: The bulk carrier LMZ Pluto docked after it was banned from sailing until the inspection by the Norwegian Maritime Directorate, in Averoya, Norway, 6 April 2026 (issued 7 April 2026). The ship, sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands en route from Murmansk in Russia to Santa Marta in Colombia, had problems due to engine failure and weather conditions on 24 March while close to oil installations in the North Sea. A major rescue operation was launched and all the crew on board had to be evacuated. EPA/FREDERIK RINGNES