Germany remains no to Russian oil

Despite US diesel purchases in Russia, the federal government is sticking to its sanctions policy against Moscow. Government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said the federal government had taken note of the US decision and avoided direct criticism of US President Donald Trump.

At the same time, Kornelius emphasized that the position of the federal government and its European partners was clear: "The federal government is sticking to the sanctions decisions against Russia and is working with its European partners on further sanctions." Support for Ukraine in its defensive struggle remains unbroken and diplomatic work on a peace solution will continue.

"We are independent of Russian oil"

A spokeswoman for Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) said: "Germany fully supports the sanctions packages." Russian oil and crude oil products have been sanctioned by the EU since 2023. Since then, Germany has not purchased any oil or oil products from Russia. “Our supply here is diversified, we are independent of Russian oil,” said the spokeswoman. Security of supply has been guaranteed since then.

After a conversation with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, Trump announced an agreement to deliver hundreds of thousands of tons of diesel from Russia. The USA wants to temporarily lift sanctions against Russian diesel. The Kremlin confirmed the deal. Trump is currently under great pressure in the USA due to increased fuel prices ahead of the important midterm elections in less than a month.

“It couldn’t be more unscrupulous”

In response to the agreement, Green Party leader Franziska Brantner called for a speedy move away from fossil fuels in Europe. She sharply criticized Trump's course: "Start a war against Iran without a discernible plan, which drives up energy prices worldwide - and then make a deal with the warmonger Putin, of all people, to cushion the consequences before the midterms: it couldn't be more unscrupulous," said the Green Party leader to the dpa news agency.

The people in Ukraine and those who suffer from the high prices will have to pay the bill for Trump's course, Brantnter continued. For Germany and Europe this means: "European sovereignty and independence from fossil fuels are the order of the day."

So far no price reactions at the gas stations

The Fuels and Energy trade association does not expect the diesel deal to have any major impact on prices at German gas stations. “There has been a ban on the import of Russian diesel into the EU since February 5, 2023. It remains that way,” said a spokesman. "In view of the volumes agreed according to the reports, we do not expect any significant impact on the global market and prices."

Fuel price observation portals have not shown any major fluctuations so far. Before and after the usual jump at lunchtime, the price of diesel - and also premium gasoline - was very close to the values ​​at the same time the previous day.