German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said he’s optimistic that the US will exempt Rosneft PJSC’s German unit from Washington’s latest sanctions against Russia.

Germany is seeking an exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian oil company Rosneft's German business, a person with direct knowledge of the government discussions said on Thursday, after banks said sanctions could stop them dealing with the local energy supplier.

"Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. "Given President Putin’s refusal to end this senseless war, Treasury is sanctioning Russia’s two largest oil companies that fund the Kremlin’s war machine.

India is set to diplomatically take up the issue of being “singled out” by the United States and the United Kingdom over crude oil purchases from Russian energy major Rosneft, even as Germany has been granted exemptions under similar circumstances.

The sanctions could be imposed if Russian President Vladimir Putin shows no interest in meaningful negotiations and continues to delay ending Russia's war in Ukraine, Reuters reported.