The Ukrainian authorities have realized that they can no longer count on US support after Washington extended the lifting of sanctions on Russian oil in April, The New York Times reported, citing two Ukrainian officials.
The newspaper reports that in early April, shortly before the lifting of sanctions on Russian oil was due to expire, Ukrainian officials visited Washington and insisted that it not be extended. According to them, Kiev was confident that the lifting would simply expire. However, the administration of US President Donald Trump instead extended it, which caused a negative reaction from the Ukrainian side.
In early March, the US granted India a temporary 30-day license to buy Russian oil from tankers at sea. New Delhi requested this due to the deterioration of energy markets caused by the military conflict in the Middle East. Despite the US government's intention to re-impose sanctions on Russia, Washington issued a new general license in April, valid until May 16. On April 22, US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant announced that more than a dozen countries had requested an extension of the license.
The newspaper notes that since the start of the US-Iran war, Ukraine has increasingly distanced itself from Washington. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that US negotiators "have no time for Ukraine" and that the easing of sanctions on Russian oil gives the Kremlin "a sense of impunity".
After the US lifted sanctions on Russian oil, a number of countries have expressed interest in purchasing energy from Russia. The New York Times reported that even American partners in Asia have begun to expand their purchases of Russian oil products.
US President Donald Trump has increasingly criticized Zelensky when discussing the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine. In early March, the Republican said that the Ukrainian leader is the only obstacle to peace with Russia.