Merz Rejects Russian Diesel Deal for Germany and Europe

 

By Atlantic Reports

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has rejected the prospect of Germany and Europe participating in a Russian diesel export arrangement announced by US President Donald Trump, saying it was “out of the question”.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin on Monday, Merz said Germany would adhere to sanctions against Russia and continue supporting Ukraine.

He assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Germany and Europe would maintain their backing.

Different positions on Russian energy

Trump announced the diesel arrangement after a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. According to the supplied account, the agreement envisaged Russian supplies to the United States and international markets.

Russia subsequently eased some diesel export restrictions on Saturday. Those restrictions had been in place since the beginning of 2026, the account said.

The terms, volumes and implementation timetable of the announced arrangement were not detailed.

Trump also announced an “energy ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine. The account did not specify its scope, duration or monitoring arrangements, or establish whether both sides had begun observing it.

Merz said conditions were not yet conducive to immediate peace negotiations. He added that European Union leaders would continue efforts towards a just and lasting peace at a summit scheduled for Thursday and Friday in Brussels.

Domestic pressure over energy costs

The chancellor’s remarks followed a two-day leadership retreat of his Christian Democratic Union (CDU).

Merz also addressed Germany’s economic challenges and measures to ease the energy tax burden, pledging to accelerate pending social and economic reforms, including efforts to lower energy prices.

The supplied account said the CDU had suffered setbacks in recent state elections, including failing to enter the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern state legislature for the first time.

His remarks placed Germany’s support for sanctions alongside its domestic effort to reduce energy costs. The announced Russian diesel arrangement leaves unresolved questions about its practical operation and its implications for the wider sanctions framework.

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