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.
South Korea's presidential Blue House said on Monday it was reviewing U.S. President Donald Trump's comments on scaling back joint military...
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slowed to a near standstill over the weekend, with five commodity vessels transiting Saturday and none on Sun...
Central Asia has become a major focus for Eurasian transport investment, with $71.7 billion committed to 114 projects, according to the Eurasian De...
At least 11 people were killed in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon on Saturday, among the deadliest since a June ceasefire. Meanwhile, Qatar denied holding Iranian pilots. It said it had found the remains of one pilot after an airspace violation and had contacted Iran to coordinate a handover.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz slowed to a near standstill over the weekend, with five commodity vessels transiting Saturday and none on Sunday. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Washington must meet Tehran's conditions for shipping to resume.
A wildfire in Croatia driven by strong winds descended on the tourist town of Omis overnight, engulfing houses, forcing about 1,000 people to evacuate to safety and injuring dozens, fire brigade and health officials said on Friday.
U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to make the Strait of Hormuz part of U.S. territory have been mocked by Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, who said the sea passage "cannot be seized by tweet."
Residents of villages in eastern Indonesia hit by a deadly earthquake that killed at least 54 people were awaiting aid on Monday as rescuers prepared to comb through collapsed buildings in search of people trapped beneath the rubble.
Central Asia has become a major focus for Eurasian transport investment, with $71.7 billion committed to 114 projects, according to the Eurasian Development Bank’s 2026 Transport Observatory.
The European Union is preparing what foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has described as its most far-reaching sanctions package against Russia since the war in Ukraine began.
Weeks after thousands of students protested in New Delhi over alleged failures in India’s examination system, the so-called Cockroach movement is taking its campaign to the grassroots, launching audits of state-run schools.
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany visited Ukraine for the first time since taking office, meeting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv on 15 August to discuss protecting the country’s cultural heritage amid continued Russian attacks.
Residents of villages in eastern Indonesia hit by a deadly earthquake that killed at least 54 people were awaiting aid on Monday as rescuers prepared to comb through collapsed buildings in search of people trapped beneath the rubble.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment