US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said Washington would "soon" be able to reimpose sanctions on Russian oil shipments, arguing that the resumption of crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz following a truce with Iran had eased concerns over disruptions to global energy supplies.
Speaking on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France, Trump said, "Soon we will be able to do that as the oil is now flowing" through the Strait of Hormuz after the deal with Iran ended the Middle East conflict.
The remarks came as leaders of the Group of Seven sought to intensify pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, with fresh measures targeting Russia's energy revenues under discussion.
Washington had earlier imposed and later extended a sanctions waiver for certain Russian oil cargoes already at sea amid fears of supply disruptions and surging crude prices.
Trump also indicated that, with the Iran conflict de-escalating, the administration's attention would now turn more fully to the war in Ukraine.
"Now that this (Iran) is finished, we're going to be focusing on that," he said, referring to efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The sanctions waiver for Russian oil had unsettled some European allies, who have been pushing for tougher restrictions on Moscow's oil and gas revenues, a key source of funding for its war effort.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said G7 leaders remained united in backing Kyiv and believed Ukraine was ready for ceasefire talks, while accusing Russia of failing to demonstrate a genuine willingness to pursue peace.
"The entire 'Seven' supports Ukraine unanimously today," Zelenskyy said.
