G7 cracks over Russian sanctions

Britain and the United States took separate steps this week to keep some Russian oil flowing to world markets, complicating a sanctions message that G7 leaders are expected to revisit when they meet in France next month. Britain said on May 20 it would continue to allow imports of diesel and jet fuel refined in third countries from Russian crude, deferring a ban it had announced in October. The United States, a day earlier, extended by 30 days a waiver covering Russian oil already at sea, according to reports citing a Treasury order. President Donald Trump is due to attend the June 15-17 G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains, adding another point of tension to an already difficult allied discussion. ### What exactly did Britain change? London on May 20 said it would keep permitting imports of diesel and jet fuel made in other countries from Russian crude, rather than enforce the ban on those products now. Reuters, Bloomberg Law and other outlets described the move as a deferral or carve-out from restrictions first announced in October. Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the decision as fuel prices climbed during the Middle East conflict. (msn.com) The British shift matters because sanctions on Russian energy have relied not only on direct bans but also on closing routes that let Russian crude re-enter Western markets after refining elsewhere. By leaving that channel open for diesel and jet fuel, Britain preserved supply for its own market while drawing criticism from European officials who have argued for tighter pressure on Moscow. (msn.com) ### What did Washington extend? The U.S. Treasury on May 19 extended a waiver for Russian seaborne oil cargoes already at sea, according to reports citing the official order. The extension runs through June 17 and applies to oil and petroleum products loaded on vessels on or before April 17, Reuters-based reports said. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measure was intended to help “energy-vulnerable” countries hit by the Iran war, according to those accounts. (msn.com) Washington has now renewed that relief repeatedly in recent months. The UPI report on May 19 called it the third straight monthly extension, a sign that the administration is trying to balance sanctions policy against the risk of another jump in oil prices. ### Why are European officials objecting now? (msn.com) The European Union said this week it would keep pressing its strategy to squeeze Russia's war economy, even as Britain moved to explain that its latest step did not amount to lifting sanctions. Euronews reported that Brussels was testing support among G7 partners for a full ban on maritime services for Russian oil tankers, a tougher line than the new British and U.S. measures. (upi.com) The EU position comes after the bloc adopted its 20th sanctions package in April. The European Commission said on April 23 that the package was designed to put further pressure on Russia to negotiate on terms acceptable to Ukraine. ### Where does Trump fit into the summit? (uk.news.yahoo.com) A White House official said on May 20 that Trump will attend the G7 leaders' meeting in Évian-les-Bains. UPI and other reports said his trip comes despite strains with allies over the Iran war and trade demands. France's presidency website says the summit will run from June 15 to June 17 in the Alpine resort town. (finance.ec.europa.eu) Trump's attendance matters because the sanctions debate is now tied to energy security and to wider disputes inside the alliance. The immediate next test is whether leaders can produce a joint line on Russia that matches the exemptions several of them have already made at home. That question is likely to be on the table in Évian when the G7 convenes on June 15. (elysee.fr) (upi.com)