French President Emmanuel Macron has criticised the US diesel deal with Russia as “inappropriate and ineffective”, saying it sends a negative message and will not lower global energy prices.
Speaking after a European Council meeting on Friday, Macron said Russian diesel supplies were already being traded on the global market.
“The volumes of diesel coming out of Russia already exist; they are being purchased by countries and are already on the global market. So it is not true that they will solve the global market problem,” he said.
“I think this will have no impact for President Trump,” he added.
Macron warned that the decision “sends a negative message and is an element of division or doubt”.
He said he would continue engaging with Washington in good faith to explain the figures and seek effective measures to bring down energy prices.
“We all agree on one thing: diesel, gasoline and gas prices must come down, but this is not what will effectively bring them down. It is not the right answer,” he said.
Trump last week lifted sanctions on Russian diesel exports in an effort to lower prices, saying Moscow would immediately supply more than 300,000 metric tonnes, or 2.25 million barrels, of diesel to US and global markets.
He also announced a ceasefire on attacks targeting energy infrastructure between Russia and Ukraine.
Ukraine funding request
Macron also said Ukraine’s allies would assess Kiev’s request for an additional €70 billion ($79 billion) in funding next year.
“We will indeed be looking at the funding. The funding that will be provided by the G7 countries, by our partners and, of course, by the Europeans,” he said.
Earlier on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged EU leaders meeting in Brussels not to ease sanctions on Russia and called for a strong 22nd sanctions package, while requesting an additional €70 billion ($79 billion) in support next year.
Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of seeking to prolong the war into next year and said Europe must be prepared.
