Ukrainian Ambassador to the US Olha Stefanishyna called on President Donald Trump’s administration to reinstate sanctions on Russian oil and petroleum products, arguing that Moscow must not profit from the actions of its ally, Iran.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Stefanishyna emphasized that limiting the Kremlin’s funding is a shared interest for both Kyiv and Washington.
“Russia must not be allowed to profit from the actions of its ally Iran,” she wrote, noting that the Russian representative has already characterized the recent US policy shift as “cooperation.” She warned that if Russia finds destabilization beneficial, “new problems in the world will not be long in coming.”
The Ambassador’s appeal follows the US Treasury Department’s issuance of General License 134B. The waiver, released late Friday, allows transactions for Russian oil and petroleum products loaded on vessels as of April 17, 2026, to continue through May 16, 2026. This move has triggered a diplomatic and domestic backlash.
Leading Senate Democrats, including Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren, described the reversal as “shameful,” particularly as it followed Russia’s largest aerial bombardment of Ukraine in 2025. Lawmakers and Ukrainian officials, including Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, have expressed concern that the waiver provides Moscow with additional billions to fuel its “murderous war machine.”
The diplomatic tension is further heightened by a similar waiver for Iranian oil set to expire on April 19, 2026. Critics argue that easing pressure on Moscow while it provides intelligence to Tehran to target US troops sends a message of weakness.
As of Sunday morning, the White House has not yet responded to the Ambassador’s call for a return to a stricter sanctions regime.