APR 19 (V7N) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday condemned the easing of sanctions on Russian oil after the United States extended a waiver aimed at curbing surging energy prices linked to the Middle East war.

Zelensky warned that “every dollar paid for Russian oil is money for the war,” accusing Moscow of using oil revenues to fund devastating strikes on Ukraine. He said more than 110 tankers carrying 12 million tonnes of Russian crude are currently at sea, worth an estimated $10 billion, which could now be sold “without consequences” due to the waiver.

The U.S. Treasury Department announced the month‑long extension Friday, despite earlier statements that the waiver would not be renewed. The move was intended to stabilize global energy markets.

Zelensky stressed that Russian oil exports must be curtailed: “It is important that Russian tankers are stopped, not allowed to deliver oil to ports. The aggressor’s oil exports must decrease.”

He also detailed the scale of recent attacks, saying Russia launched 2,360 drones, 1,320 guided aerial bombs, and nearly 60 missiles at Ukrainian cities and communities in the past week. In one overnight strike on Chernihiv, a 16‑year‑old boy was killed and four others wounded.

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