European leaders criticize US move to ease Russian oil sanctions

European leaders, including Germany's Friedrich Merz and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have publicly criticized a recent US decision to temporarily lift some sanctions on Russian oil. Merz, speaking from Norway, called the move "wrong," while Zelenskyy said it was "not the right decision" and could provide Moscow with billions in revenue.

The criticism centers on concerns that easing the sanctions undermines efforts to pressure Russia over its war in Ukraine and could negatively affect European security. The US action involves a 30-day waiver on certain sanctions.