Germany said Saturday it would maintain its sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine, putting Berlin at odds with Washington a day after US President Donald Trump temporarily lifted American sanctions on Russian fuel. The split centers on diesel.
Berlin's message was blunt: Germany keeps Russia sanctions in place, working with European partners on further sanctions. Stefan Kornelius said Germany had "taken note" of the US decision, but its position had not moved — and support for Ukraine was unchanged.
Photo: FinnishGovernment — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
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Germany Keeps Russia Sanctions as Trump Bets on Russian Diesel
Trump said Friday that Russia had agreed to supply diesel to global markets to lower fuel prices, and that his administration had temporarily lifted US sanctions on Russian fuel — sanctions designed to deprive Moscow of revenues for its war on Ukraine.
The timing is political: diesel — fuel for farming, heating and trucking — sits near record levels in the US, Reuters reported, hurting Trump's fellow Republicans ahead of the November 3 congressional elections that decide their thin control of Congress.
Photo: Santeri Viinamäki — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
What Berlin Actually Said
The Stefan Kornelius Russia sanctions statement, issued in Berlin on Saturday, left little room for misreading: "The federal government has taken note of the US decision relating to Russian diesel deliveries. The federal government remains committed to the decisions on sanctions against Russia and is working with its European partners on further sanctions."
Kornelius added that German support for Ukraine was unchanged and diplomatic efforts would continue. The reply came a week after Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Kyiv; Merz has repeatedly said Germany, Ukraine's largest European donor, will not reduce support.
Photo: Jürgen Matern — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Germany Has Bought No Russian Oil Since 2023
Berlin can afford to hold the line. Katherina Reiche, spokesperson for the federal minister for economic affairs, said in Berlin: "Germany is standing firmly by the sanctions packages. Russian oil and petroleum products have been subject to EU sanctions since 2023. Since then, Germany has not imported any oil or petroleum products from Russia. Our supply is diversified; we do not rely on Russian oil."
That explains Berlin's confidence: with no Russian oil in its supply mix since 2023, the cheaper-diesel tradeoff behind Trump's move simply doesn't apply to Germany.
Photo: Martina Nolte — Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
"A Terrible Disappointment": How the Rest of Europe Reacted
Germany is not alone. Finland's prime minister called the US-Russia diesel agreement a "terrible disappointment," while Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal described Trump's decision as a major mistake and urged more support for Ukraine.
The reactions show how isolated Washington's move looks among European allies — especially those bordering Russia.
Why It Matters
A visible transatlantic split over Russia sanctions gives Moscow room to play both sides — sanctions bite hardest when the West moves together.
For Ukraine, its biggest European backer holding firm is reassurance while American commitment looks wobbly.
What Happens Next
Berlin says it is working with European partners on further Russia sanctions, though it offered no details. How many EU capitals echo Germany will show how isolated Washington is.
The clock that matters most may be political: the November 3 US congressional elections. If diesel prices stay high, pressure to keep the sanctions pause will grow; if they fall, Moscow gets the credit.
Read our earlier coverage of the diesel row: Trump-Putin Diesel Deal: Zelensky Fires Back 'Weak Decision' and Trump Russia Diesel Deal: Putin to Supply Fuel, Cut Prices.
Key Takeaways
- Germany said Saturday it will maintain its Russia sanctions, splitting with Trump's temporary US sanctions lift on Russian fuel.
- Stefan Kornelius: Berlin stays "committed to the decisions on sanctions against Russia" and seeks further EU sanctions.
- Trump said Friday Russia agreed to supply diesel globally; US diesel prices sit near record levels before the November 3 elections.
- Germany has imported no Russian oil or petroleum products since EU sanctions took effect in 2023.
- Finland's PM called the US-Russia diesel deal a "terrible disappointment"; Estonia's Kristen Michal called it a major mistake.
- Chancellor Merz, who visited Kyiv last weekend, says Germany — Ukraine's largest European donor — won't cut support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Germany refuse to follow Trump's diesel move?
Berlin says its sanctions on Russia stay, full stop. Spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said Germany had "taken note" of the US decision on Russian diesel deliveries but "remains committed to the decisions on sanctions against Russia." Since Germany buys no Russian oil anyway, the cheaper-diesel tradeoff behind Trump's move doesn't apply.
What exactly did Berlin say on Saturday?
Stefan Kornelius issued the statement in Berlin: "The federal government has taken note of the US decision relating to Russian diesel deliveries. The federal government remains committed to the decisions on sanctions against Russia and is working with its European partners on further sanctions." He added that support for Ukraine was unchanged and diplomatic efforts would continue.
Did Trump really lift sanctions on Russian fuel?
Yes — temporarily. Trump said on Friday that Russia had agreed to supply diesel to global markets to lower fuel prices, and that his administration had temporarily lifted US sanctions on Russian fuel. Those sanctions were designed to deprive Moscow of revenue for its war on Ukraine.
Does Germany still buy Russian oil?
No. Economics ministry spokesperson Katherina Reiche said Russian oil and petroleum products have been under EU sanctions since 2023, and since then Germany "has not imported any oil or petroleum products from Russia." German supply, she said, is diversified and does not rely on Russian oil.
How did other European leaders react?
With open dismay. Finland's prime minister called the US-Russia diesel agreement a "terrible disappointment." Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal described Trump's decision as a major mistake and called for increased support for Ukraine. The reactions show how isolated Washington's move looks among European allies.
What happens next in the sanctions split?
Germany says it is working with European partners on further Russia sanctions, though it gave no details. The key date is November 3, when US congressional elections test whether Trump's diesel gamble paid off. If prices stay high, pressure to extend the pause will grow; if they fall, Moscow gets the credit.
Sources
- Reuters, Berlin, October 10, 2026 (reported by Andreas Rinke; written by James Mackenzie; edited by Alexandra Hudson). reuters.com
- Ukrainska Pravda (English), October 10, 2026 (citing European Pravda and Welt). pravda.com.ua
- GlobalDeskNews: Trump-Putin Diesel Deal: Zelensky Fires Back 'Weak Decision'
- GlobalDeskNews: Trump Russia Diesel Deal: Putin to Supply Fuel, Cut Prices
By GlobalDeskNews Staff