German Chancellor Friedrich Merz believes that Rosneft subsidiaries under external management by the German government will be exempt from the new sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.
Merz made this statement at a press conference following the first day of the EU summit in Brussels. The politician added that this issue will be discussed with Washington.
On September 8, the German Ministry of Economic Affairs announced that the German cabinet had extended the external management of Rosneft's German assets until March 10, 2026. The ministry justified this move by citing the Energy Security Act. The ministry emphasized that the Federal Network Agency (BNA) retains control over Rosneft Deutschland and its respective stakes in three refineries: PCK in Schwedt, Miro in Karlsruhe, and Bayernoil in Vohburg.
The US Treasury Department previously included Rosneft, Lukoil, and 34 of their subsidiaries in a new sanctions package. Trump stated that the impact of the new sanctions on Russia would become clear within six months.