Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said the US move to ease sanctions on Russian oil was undermining efforts to end the war.

Nearly two weeks after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, oil prices have surged, indirectly benefiting Russia and raising concerns the conflict is diverting attention from Ukraine’s war.

Washington said on Thursday it would temporarily waive sanctions on Russian oil at sea.

“This single easing by the US could provide Russia with around $10 billion for the war. It certainly does ‌not help (to achieve) ‌peace,” Mr Zelensky said at a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.