Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky said that the U.S. decision to temporarily allow the sale of Russian oil and petroleum products already loaded onto ships could provide Russia with an additional $10 billion.

Axar.az reports, citing Ukrinform, he made the remarks while speaking with journalists in Paris.

Zelensky emphasized that this move does not promote peace, noting that even partial easing of sanctions strengthens Russia’s position. “It spends the money from the sale of energy resources on weapons, and all of that then flies against us,” he said.

Previously, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that there are no grounds to ease sanctions on Russia, and Middle Eastern events should not reduce pressure on the Kremlin or support for Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued a license permitting the temporary sale of Russian crude oil and petroleum products already on ships, effective from March 12 to April 11, allowing countries to purchase Russian oil currently stuck at sea.