EU would welcome U.S. backing to quit Russian oil, energy chief says

The European Union would welcome the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump for its plan to halt purchases of Russian oil, which continue to help finance Moscow’s conflict in Ukraine, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen told Reuters on Friday (September 5).

Brussels is currently working on legal proposals to end all EU imports of Russian oil and gas by 1 January 2028, aiming to cut decades-old dependence on Moscow’s energy supplies.

According to a White House official, President Trump told European leaders in a call on Thursday (September 4) that Europe must stop buying Russian oil, as diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict drag on.

Jorgensen, who oversees EU energy policy, said Washington had not pressured the bloc to accelerate the timetable beyond 2028 but stressed that support from the U.S. would be welcome. Reuters has requested comment from the Kremlin on Trump’s reported remarks.

The United States has already imposed punitive tariffs on India for continuing to purchase Russian oil, while New Delhi has accused Western nations of hypocrisy.

EU figures show Europe’s reliance on Russian gas is expected to fall to about 13% of its supply this year, compared with around 45% before Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Hungary and Slovakia, however, continue to receive Russian crude through the Druzhba pipeline and have opposed the phase-out, arguing it would push up energy prices. Jorgensen confirmed talks were underway with both governments but noted that, if necessary, EU states could approve the phase-out plan without them. He declined to say whether Brussels would consider financial support or legal guarantees to win their backing.

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