STORY: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday (March 13) that a U.S. decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil was not helping to end the war and achieve peace in Ukraine.

Nearly two weeks after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, one key consequence has been a surge in oil prices, indirectly benefiting Russia, and concerns that the war is diverting attention from Ukraine’s fight against Russia.

The United States said on Thursday (March 12) it would temporarily waive sanctions on Russian oil at sea.

"This single easing [of sanctions] by America could provide Russia with approximately 10 billion dollars for the war. This certainly does not help peace," Zelenskiy told a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.

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Ukraine's Zelenskiy says US easing sanctions on Russia's oil is not helping peace

VIDEO SHOWS: JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE OF UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY AND FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON IN PARIS / COMMENTS BY VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: PARIS, FRANCE (MARCH 13, 2026) (AGENCY POOL - Access all)

1. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY AND FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE

2. ZELENSKIY AND MACRON STANDING AT LECTERNS

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY SAYING:

“We hear signals that this is intended to stabilize the situation. But in my view, the logic is entirely different. The fact is that Russia spends this money on weapons—on drones, above all—which strike Ukrainians en masse. And as we already see from intelligence reports, these same drones are being used against Iran's neighbours, Middle Eastern countries, as well as against Europeans and Americans present at various bases there.”

4. ZELENSKIY AND MACRON STANDING AT LECTERNS

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY SAYING:

“Therefore, ultimately lifting sanctions only to have more drones flying at you later—in my view, this is not the right decision.”

6. ZELENSKIY AND MACRON STANDING AT LECTERNS

7. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY SAYING:

“This single easing [of sanctions] by America could provide Russia with approximately 10 billion dollars for the war. This certainly does not help peace.”

8. ZELENSKIY AND MACRON SHAKING HANDS AND (PART MUTE) LEAVING NEWS CONFERENCE