Leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have urged United States (US) President Donald Trump to reconsider his decision to suspend sanctions on the import of Russian oil. They have warned that the move will have repercussions on the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
The leaders of Canada, Germany and Norway have expressed concern about the decision and have said they will use their White House communication channels to try to change the American president’s mind.
Earlier, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said six of the seven G7 countries were against waiving US sanctions on Russian oil. He said: “We were a little surprised when we heard this morning that the US government decided to lift sanctions against Russia.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said: “We all have direct lines to the president and we will use them.”
Merz also announced plans to contact French President Emmanuel Macron to find a way to circumvent the American president’s plan.
Previously, the US government waived sanctions on Russian oil imports amid the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its attacks on US military bases in the Gulf States virtually paralyzed oil production.
President Trump allowed countries to buy Russian oil in a bid to increase global supply amid fuel shortages and rising prices, sparked by joint U.S.-Israeli military attacks on Iran and subsequent retaliation by the Islamic Republic.
