Trump Eases Oil Sanctions Following Call With Putin as Middle East Crisis Escalates
By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa
After a call with Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump announced the U.S. will lift oil sanctions on specific nations to address shortages caused by the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict.Â
This move aims to stabilize global energy markets disrupted by the ongoing regional war.
Trump stated that sanctions would remain suspended until the Strait of Hormuz is reopened for shipping. Analysts believe this could effectively ease restrictions on Russian oil, which may undermine international efforts to pressure Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz caused crude oil prices to spike past $100 a barrel on Monday. To combat rising costs, the White House is also weighing the release of strategic reserves and potential limits on American oil exports.
The U.S. President described the hour-long conversation with Putin as a “positive call,” even while acknowledging the “never-ending” nature of the war in Ukraine. Kremlin officials echoed this sentiment, calling the exchange frank and businesslike.
Putin reiterated that Russia is prepared to supply energy to Europe while warning that the Iran conflict could halt global production. He urged Russian firms to take advantage of the crisis, despite viewing the price surge as temporary.
President Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine has sent drones and operators to defend U.S. bases in Jordan. Ukraine is currently assisting eleven nations that have requested help against Iranian-linked attacks to strengthen its own diplomatic ties.
Zelenskyy noted that global focus has shifted from Ukraine to the Middle East, leading to the postponement of key diplomatic talks. He stated that Western partners are currently preoccupied with the immediate escalations involving Iran.
On the front lines, Russian strikes continue to hit civilian areas in Kharkiv and Dnipro, leaving several injured, including a child. Local officials reported significant damage to residential buildings as air attacks and shelling persist.
In the diplomatic and financial spheres, Ukraine is pushing to ban Russia from the Venice Biennale to prevent the normalization of its actions. Meanwhile, a legal battle continues over ÂŁ2.5bn in frozen assets from the Chelsea FC sale.
