EU's Kallas: US easing Russian oil sanctions sets 'dangerous precedent'

The European Union's top diplomat has sharply criticized the United States' recent move to ease sanctions on Russian oil, describing it as a "dangerous precedent" that could undermine efforts to limit Moscow's war financing. Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign policy chief, made the remarks Monday in Brussels ahead of a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers, expressing concern about mixed messaging from Washington.

Concerns over Moscow's revenues

"We see the easing of sanctions on oil, on Russia, by US is a dangerous precedent, because right now, we need them to have less money for waging the war," Kallas told reporters at the Foreign Affairs Council. Her comments follow reports that US authorities last week authorized the temporary purchase of Russian oil stranded at sea, a move aimed at stabilizing volatile global energy markets. Kallas emphasized that while Middle East crises demand attention, the international community must not lose focus on Ukraine.

Strait of Hormuz disruption

The EU diplomat also raised alarms about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for global energy supplies. Iran has effectively shut the strait since March 1, following the outbreak of hostilities with US and Israeli forces. Before the current conflict, approximately 20 million barrels of oil transited the waterway daily. Kallas revealed she discussed with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres the possibility of reviving a Black Sea grain initiative-style agreement to ensure Ukrainian exports continue despite the disruption.

Naval mission under review

Kallas indicated that EU member states would discuss potentially modifying the mandate of Operation Aspides, the bloc's naval mission in the region. "The point is whether the member states are willing to actually use this mission," she stressed, suggesting the current framework may need adjustment to address the evolving situation. The Strait's closure has already pushed oil prices higher, adding economic pressure to the broader regional escalation that began with US-Israeli attacks on Iran on Feb. 28, which reportedly killed approximately 1,300 people, including a former Iranian leader. Tehran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting what it describes as US military assets across the region.