'We will stand firm' - Spain's minister surprised by U.S. decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil

Record ID: 2363881

  • Title: 'We will stand firm' - Spain's minister surprised by U.S. decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil
  • Date: 13th March 2026
  • Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (MARCH 13, 2026) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** SPAIN’S ENERGY MINISTER SURROUNDED BY MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SPAIN’S ENERGY MINISTER, SARA AAGESEN, SAYING: "As for US policy, well, it really is a radical change from what was previously expected of the European Union as well. And I must stress, it is somewhat surprising in this contex
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Iran Sara Aagesen Spain crisis energy energy minister oil
  • Location: MADRID, SPAIN
  • City: MADRID, SPAIN
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Europe,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001367613032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Spain’s Energy Minister Sara Aagesen said on Friday (March 13) that the United States’ decision to lift sanctions on certain Russian oil exports marked a sharp shift from what the European Union had expected, stressing that Europe would continue to follow its own sanctions roadmap.
    “As for U.S. policy, it really is a radical change from what was previously expected of the European Union as well,” Aagesen told reporters. “It is somewhat surprising in this context. But we will stand firm, we have our own package of sanctions and we will, of course, continue to follow our roadmap at European level.”
    The United States issued a 30‑day waiver allowing countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil and petroleum products stranded at sea.
    Germany's Merz said on Friday he wanted to understand the motivations behind the U.S. decision, which Washington said was aimed at stabilising global energy markets.
    European Council President António Costa said the unilateral U.S. decision was “very concerning,” warning that it could have implications for European security.
    Aagesen said any measures such as price caps would require a European framework and noted that no such steps were currently under consideration.
    (Production: Elena Rodriguez)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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