Merz Rejects Proposed Energy Agreement
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated on Monday that a recent agreement between the United States and Russia regarding diesel exports is "out of the question" for Germany and Europe. Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, Merz affirmed that Germany is adhering to sanctions against Russia.
The chancellor pledged continued support for Ukraine, noting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky can fully rely on both Germany and Europe. Merz dismissed prospects of immediate peace negotiations under current conditions.
His comments followed reports that U.S. President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply diesel fuel to the United States and global markets. The announcement came after a telephone conversation between the two leaders on Friday.
Trump also announced an "energy ceasefire" between Russia and Ukraine. On Saturday, the Russian government partially lifted restrictions on diesel fuel exports that had been in effect since the beginning of 2026.
EU Expands Sanctions Package
European Union foreign ministers adopted nearly 1,600 new sanctions listings targeting Russia's military-industrial complex. The measures were adopted on Monday ahead of a Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said more than half of the new listings were linked to the production chain for ballistic missiles and described it as the largest single expansion of the bloc's sanctions list since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The measures are aimed at making it significantly harder, slower and more expensive for Russia to produce weapons used against Ukraine.
Kallas said the new listings would also address what she described as "sham elections in Russia regarding the occupied territories of Ukraine." She reiterated the EU's position that continued pressure on Russia was necessary to end the conflict and called for greater coordination with the United States on sanctions against Russia.
Strategic Positioning Ahead of Summit
The remarks were made following a two-day leadership retreat of Merz's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party. Merz said EU leaders will continue working toward a just and lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine at an upcoming EU summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday.