Germany says it stays committed to Russia sanctions after Trump diesel announcement

Germany's government said on 10 October 2026 that it remains committed to its sanctions against Russia. It said it is working with its European partners on further sanctions.

The statement came one day after US President Donald Trump announced on Friday, 9 October, that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to US and global markets.

Government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius issued the statement. It also said Germany's support for Ukraine in its struggle to defend itself remains unfailing, and that diplomatic efforts for a peaceful solution continue. DW and The Local published differently worded English versions of the statement. The Local said the statement was sent to AFP.

According to DW, Kornelius also said the government "has taken note of the US decision relating to Russian diesel deliveries."

Russia has faced successive rounds of sanctions from the US and its partners since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The US announcement

Trump wrote on social media: "Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace." The Local quoted this post. It reported that Trump made the announcement after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not describe what was discussed in those talks.

According to DW, Trump said he would temporarily lift US sanctions to allow the Russian diesel supply. DW called this a major reversal in US policy. The reports do not quote Trump directly on lifting sanctions. DW described the reprieve as temporary and covering Russian diesel, but the reports do not give its exact duration, legal basis or detailed terms.

The announcement came ahead of US elections. Trump's Republican Party faces political pressure over the cost of living and fuel prices. According to DW, the midterm elections are in November. The Local reported that the Republicans risk losing control of Congress.

Context

According to DW, diesel prices have reached record levels. DW said the war in Iran launched by the US and Israel drove up diesel prices worldwide. DW also reported that it is unclear how much Russian fuel will reach global markets. It cited domestic fuel shortages in Russia while Ukraine continues to target refineries.

According to DW, Russian crude and other oil products have been under EU sanctions since 2023. DW reported that Germany has not imported oil or oil products from Russia since then.

What each side says

• German government: Kornelius said Germany remains committed to sanctions and is working with European partners on new ones. He said its support for Ukraine remains unfailing.
• German Economy Ministry: A spokesperson for Economic Affairs Minister Katherina Reiche said: "Germany stands fully behind the sanctions packages." The spokesperson added: "Our supply is diversified in this area; we are independent of Russian oil." DW reported these remarks.
• US President Donald Trump: Russia will immediately supply diesel to US and global markets.
• Kremlin: According to The Local, Russia "reaffirmed its readiness to supply oil and oil products to the American and world markets."

The reports do not include reactions from EU institutions, other EU governments or Ukraine.

Analysis

Germany's statement signals that Berlin does not plan to follow the US shift on Russian diesel, at least for now. A gap between US and European sanctions policy could test coordination among Western partners. Much is still unknown. DW describes the US reprieve as temporary, but the reports do not set out exactly how long it would last or its detailed terms. They also do not say how much Russian diesel will actually reach markets. If supplies are limited, the effect on prices may be small. The further EU sanctions Germany mentioned are not described, so their scope and timing cannot yet be assessed.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.