After Washington announced a sanctions pause on Russian diesel, Germany has said it remains committed to pressuring Moscow and supporting Ukraine.

Germany on Saturday said it would continue pursuing sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine, coming a day after US President Donald Trump announced a temporary US sanctions reprieve on Russian diesel.

"The federal ⁠government ⁠has taken note of the US decision relating to Russian diesel deliveries," government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said in a statement.

"The federal government ​remains committed to the decisions on ​sanctions against ‌Russia and is working with its European partners on further sanctions," the statement added.

Germany's "support for Ukraine in its struggle to defend itself remains unfailing ... Diplomatic efforts for a peaceful solution continue," he added.

After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Moscow has been subject to round after round of sanctions packages led by the US and EU.

Russian crude and other oil products have been subject to EU sanctions since 2023, and Germany has not imported any oil or oil products from Russia since then.

A spokesperson for Economic Affairs Minister Katherina Reiche said Saturday that "Germany stands fully behind the sanctions packages."

"Our supply is diversified in this area; we are independent of Russian oil," the spokesperson said.

Germany remains Ukraine's largest financial backer in Europe. During a visit to Kyiv last weekend, Chancellor Friedrich Merz reiterated Germany's unwavering support for Ukraine.

In what amounts to a major reversal in US policy, Trump on Friday said he would temporarily lift US sanctions to allow Russia to "immediately" supply over 300,000 tons of diesel fuel to US and global markets.

The move comes as diesel prices reach record levels after the war in Iran launched by the US and Israel sent diesel prices skyrocketing around the world.

In the US, the high prices are putting political pressure on Trump's Republicans ahead of the midterm elections in November.

However, despite Trump's claims on social media, it remains unclear how much Russian fuel will reach global markets amid domestic fuel shortages as Ukraine continues to target refineries.