US President Donald Trump has justified his administration’s easing of sanctions against Russia as a result of the Iran war. At the same time, he shot again against Volodymyr Zelenskyj.
March 15, 2026, 05:35March 15, 2026, 06:39
“I want oil for the world,” Trump told NBC News when asked about his decision to ease purchasing restrictions in the face of rising energy prices.
Trump is once again rhetorically cozying up to Vladimir Putin. (archive image)Image: keystone
Unprecedented sanctions were imposed on Moscow to support Ukraine in its more than four-year-old defense against Russia’s invasion. But a few days ago, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that Russian oil that was already on ships could initially be sold again without penalty. The aim is to improve supply on the world market after oil prices rose dramatically as a result of the Iran war. The temporary exemption from US sanctions should apply until April 11th.
Germany and other supporters of Ukraine strongly criticized the decision and pointed out that pressure on Russia had to be maintained in order to end the war.
Trump, on the other hand, again accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj in the NBC interview of being a greater obstacle to a possible end to the war than Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin. «I’m surprised that Zelensky doesn’t want to make an agreement. Tell Zelensky to make a deal because Putin is ready to do so,” Trump said in the NBC interview. “It is much more difficult to reach an agreement with Zelensky.”
“The last person we need help from is Zelensky”
At the beginning of March, Zelensky offered US forces and their allies in the Middle East his help in intercepting Iranian drones, as the Ukrainians have gained plenty of experience with this in four years of war. Trump said: “We don’t need any help.” And: “The last person we need help from is Zelensky.” The Ukrainian president said that countries in the Middle East had asked to exchange experiences on intercepting Iranian drones. That’s why teams of experts were sent to three countries. (sda/dpa)