🇺🇦🇷🇺Ukraine vs Russia

Trump Says Russian Oil Sanctions To Return After Middle East Crisis

Trump also accused President Volodymyr Zelensky of being reluctant to reach a deal to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Kyiv Post

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15 marzo 2026

4 min read

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US President Donald Trump said sanctions on Russian oil eased amid the current Middle East crisis would be reinstated once the conflict ends, linking the move to global energy supply concerns.

In a telephone interview with NBC News, Trump explained that the temporary relaxation of restrictions was intended to stabilize oil markets while fighting continues in the US-Israeli war against Iran.

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“I want to have oil for the world. I want to have oil,” Trump said.

He indicated that sanctions on Russia would return later.

“They’ll go back as soon as the crisis is over,” he added.

Trump comments on Russia, Ukraine intelligence claims

Trump also addressed reports that Russia may have shared intelligence with Iran on the locations of US military bases and other assets throughout the Middle East region.

“Russia is perhaps giving information, perhaps they’re not,” he remarked during the interview.

At the same time, he noted that the US shares certain information with Ukraine.

“We’re giving a little information to Ukraine and we’re trying to make peace between the two nations,” Trump said, referring to ongoing diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Zelensky “far more difficult to make a deal with”

During the interview, Trump again criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming he has been difficult in negotiations aimed at ending the war.

“I’m surprised that Zelensky doesn’t want to make a deal,” Trump stated.

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“Tell Zelensky to make a deal because Putin’s willing to make a deal,” he continued, offering no evidence to support the claim.

Trump argued that Zelensky was “far more difficult to make a deal with” than Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky has recently urged the US to increase pressure on Russia rather than on Kyiv as negotiations over ending the war continue. The president has repeatedly argued that Moscow, as the aggressor in the conflict, must face stronger political and economic pressure to move toward a genuine peace settlement.

US dismisses need for Ukrainian drone defense help

The president also rejected the idea that the US needs Ukrainian assistance in countering drone attacks.

“We don’t need help,” Trump stressed.

“The last person we need help from is Zelensky.”

However, Trump declined to confirm whether Washington had accepted Ukraine’s drone interception technology or related assistance.

Sanctions eased amid global energy pressure

The remarks follow criticism from international leaders and Democratic senators after the US eased sanctions on Russian oil exports in an effort to limit surging global oil prices during the escalating Middle East conflict.

The conflict has driven oil prices sharply higher and raised concerns about supply disruptions, particularly as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz – a key shipping route for global oil – intensified.

US officials have argued that allowing limited flows of Russian oil helps stabilize global markets during the crisis. The sanctions had originally been imposed after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The restrictions targeted Russian crude exports and petroleum products in an effort to limit revenue flowing to the Kremlin’s war effort.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that lifting sanctions on Russian oil could provide Moscow with as much as $10 billion in additional revenue, potentially strengthening the Kremlin’s ability to finance its war.