EU leaders regret US decision on sanctions against Russian diesel

EU leaders regret US decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel

EU leaders regretted the US decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian diesel. The conclusions of the meeting in Brussels called for safe passage in the Black Sea, stronger European defense and continued support for Ukraine.

Scraper SystemOctober 17, 2026, 08:52 PM

EU leaders regret US decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel

The US decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian diesel was criticized in the conclusions of the European Union leaders’ meeting in Brussels. The leaders said they would continue supporting Ukraine.

The conclusions adopted after the European Council’s two-day meeting on October 15-16 expressed regret over the US decision. US President Donald Trump also said last week that he had reached an agreement to buy diesel from Russia to address high fuel prices.

From an EU leaders’ summit in Brussels (archive)

Call for safe passage for ships in the Black Sea

EU leaders called for the immediate restoration of safe passage for all civilian and commercial vessels in the Black Sea. They said attacks on maritime transport, including in the exclusive economic zones of Bulgaria and Romania, were unacceptable and constituted serious violations of international maritime law.

A cargo ship at the Port of Constanta on the Black Sea (archive)

The conclusions called for stronger measures to counter hybrid threats, protect critical infrastructure and raise preparedness levels. They said new restrictive measures and tighter visa rules targeting Russian citizens could be urgently considered.

EU defense and NATO’s role

Under the heading of European security, the conclusions stressed the need to develop the European Union’s defense capabilities. They also said NATO must remain the foundation of the collective defense of its member states.

Call for diplomacy in the Middle East

EU leaders called for increased diplomatic efforts to prevent rising tensions in the Middle East from causing further instability. The conclusions also highlighted the importance of freedom of navigation and maritime security.

Threats against commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz were condemned, and the leaders said all arrangements concerning the waterway must comply with international law. They also condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and on civilian vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, calling for an immediate end to military operations.

Situation in Gaza and the West Bank

The leaders expressed serious concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. EU leaders condemned the expansion of illegal settlements and the ongoing and increasing settler violence against Palestinian civilians.

Israel was urged to withdraw its plans for illegal settlements, including the planned construction in the E1 area. The conclusions said businesses should not participate in construction tenders for projects in E1 or other settlements, and that companies and financial institutions involved in these projects faced legal, economic and reputational risks.

International Criminal Court sanctions

EU leaders also expressed regret over US sanctions against the International Criminal Court. Calling on Washington to withdraw the measures, the leaders said they were ready to protect the court and ensure that it continued to have access to financial and other services.

Source: Anadolu Ajansı

Have a story, event or announcement of your own?Send us your news on WhatsApp

Spotted an error in this story?Report it on WhatsApp

Share on all social platforms

EU leaders regret US decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel