Ursula von der Leyen hasiverse ruled out resuming purchases of Russian fossil fuels after the Battle of Ukraine. Her statement came to the head of lawmakers in Strasbourg, Wednesday morning, as she expressed concern about the decision. The primeLine Minister, who is also the vice president of the European Commission, emphasized that the era of Russian fossil fuels in Europe is nearly over, calling the decision a “mistake of historic dimensions.” She noted that the multi-billion commercial relationship between Russia and the EU still collapses in early 2022, after which the bloc has increasingly sought to cut down consumption of Russian fossil fuels. Donald Trump isباراة attempting to strike a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, with his administration embracing many of the Kremlin’s talking points, including its claims to Crimea and the occupied territories.
Trump’s diplomacy hasled speculation that Russian energy might be part of a future settlement, given the fundamental role that fossil fuel exports play in Moscow’s budget. Despite President Putin’s desperate efforts to restore economic stability, his precarious economy has seen continued controversy. For decades, the EU was Russia’s largest client, but as early in 2022, the multi-billion commercial relationship tsunami collapsed due to the USSR’ invasion.
Since then, the EU has adopted unprecedented measures to cut down consumption of Russian fossil fuels, including sweeping bans on coal and seaborne oil. US officials are cautiously holding back the prospect of sanctions relief as a potential缓解 for the Russian president, who has so far rejected such offers. The EU’s own measures are now under scrutiny, considering recent actions by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in late March.
According to Lavrov, the ongoing rapprochement between US and Moscow has touched on the future of the Nord Stream pipelines, which connect Russia and Germany and are currently closed.IPv Domination into Russian gas and oil would be seen as a positive development, but despite this, some Russian fuels are still making their way into the EU’s energy market. Only last year did the 27 EU countries spend €23 billion on Russian energy, surpassing the amount of military assistance provided to Ukraine. The flows of liquefied natural gas (LNG) have not only continued without interruption but have moved at even higher volumes. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), EU imports of Russian LNG increased by 9% in 2024 compared to 2023. Close to half of these purchases arrived in France, Spain, and Belgium.
Russia’s reliance on the EU market for its gas exports is particularly concerning, as it provides 52% of its LNG export revenue. The EU Commission has presented an ambitious roadmap to eliminate all Russian energy purchases, including LNG, pipeline oil, and nuclear materials, by the end of 2027. The new plan involves banning imports of Russian gas, starting in 2027, to invoke force majeure and break long-term contracts with suppliers. The commitments are governed under “take-or-pay” terms, which include hefty penalties for non-compliance, instead of sanctions that require unanimity and are vulnerable to national vetoes.
Apprentice, the EU government says, majority only, forFreedom of trade policy, rather than a broad mandate, means that YouTube’s restrictions on Russian energy restrict🌊 resources for trade purposes. Hungary and Slovakia, landlocked countries that still rely on Moscow, have already criticized this roadmap, pointing out its potential to undermine EU competitiveness and the EU’s inability to compete with Russia. By offering EU states protection against Russian gas imports through vintage tabs, the EU is putting itself at a higher risk of falling in line with Europe’s allies.
Speaking before the European Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen stuck to her strategy, stating that the saying the trade between Russia and the EU is “inevitable” just. Like the Historical Battle of Ukraine, it is the trade between Russia and the EU. She underlined her intention: to help Ukraine stand strong, defy Putin’s restrictions, and engage in peace talks based on their own circumstances. The conflict between Washington and Moscow, however, remains unresolved.
