U.S. President Donald Trump said on March 9 that the U.S. is preparing to waive certain oil-related sanctions to stabilize global energy prices as the war in Iran drives markets higher.

The comments signal a potential shift in Washington's sanctions enforcement as the escalating conflict in the Middle East threatens global oil supply and economic stability.

Trump did not specify which country could receive sanctions relief. The Kyiv Independent has learned that the administration is considering reducing sanctions on Russian oil.

"We're waiving certain oil-related sanctions to reduce prices," Trump said. "So we have sanctions on some countries. We're going to take those sanctions off until this straightens out."

"Then who knows, maybe we won't have to put them on."

The remarks came hours after Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine and the growing conflict in Iran.

Global oil and gas prices surged after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28. In response, Tehran closed the Strait of Hormuz, a route that carries roughly 20% of the world's oil supply.

While easing sanctions could boost global energy supplies, critics say it risks undermining efforts to pressure Moscow over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which entered its fifth year in February.

President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that lifting sanctions would be a "serious blow" to Ukraine and a "reputational blow" for the world.

"How can sanctions be lifted from Russia if it is an aggressor?" Zelensky said during a briefing with journalists on March 10, stressing that sanctions are designed to prevent Moscow from funding its war on Ukraine.

Alexander Kirk, a sanctions campaigner at the NGO Urgewald, told the Kyiv Independent that relaxing restrictions could embolden the Kremlin to further continue its aggression.

"The call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin only underlines what is at stake," Kirk said. "Easing sanctions on Russia now would throw the Kremlin a rope at the very moment the walls are closing in. Ukrainians will pay for that choice in blood."

"At the moment Moscow is positioning itself as a partner in solving the global energy crisis, the West should remember that this is the same fossil fuel revenue stream funding the war in Ukraine."

The potential sanctions relief follows a temporary waiver granted last week, allowing India to purchase Russian crude already loaded on tankers at sea to offset supply disruptions from the Middle East.

The waiver came after months of U.S. pressure on New Delhi to scale back imports of Russian oil. Last year, the Trump administration imposed a 25% "reciprocal" tariff on Indian goods and an additional 25% penalty linked to purchases of Russian crude.

The U.S. president later lifted the additional penalty on Feb. 7 after India pledged to halt direct and indirect imports of Russian crude and increase purchases of U.S. energy.

Despite the temporary measures, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright claimed on March 8 that Washington does not plan to abandon its broader sanctions policy toward Russia.

"We just made a pragmatic decision," Wright told Fox News. "I don't think there's any change in the pressure there… Russia's oil remains sanctioned. There's no change in policy towards Russia."

The debate over sanctions comes as concerns grow about Moscow's role in the Middle East crisis. U.S. officials have alleged that Russia provided Iran with intelligence on American military positions in the region, including ships and aircraft.

Iran remains one of Russia's closest partners since the start of Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.