Trump and Von der Leyen deliberate on countermeasures against Russia
The European Commission has announced plans to accelerate the process of eliminating Russian fossil fuel imports, aiming to conclude the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In a series of moves, the Commission has proposed to completely halt crude oil imports from Russia by the end of 2027, while gas imports are slated to be banned from January 1, 2028.
The announcement was made by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, following a call with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump had urged his allies to cease purchasing Russian oil before taking punitive measures against Moscow.
Von der Leyen stated that the Russian war economy, supported by fossil fuel revenues, is financing the bloodshed in Ukraine. The new EU sanctions package, expected to be presented soon, will target cryptocurrencies, banks, and energy sectors in Russia, in addition to increasing economic pressure on Russia.
The EU has already made significant progress in reducing its reliance on Russian energy. The share of Russian oil imports has dropped from 29% at the beginning of 2021 to just 2% by mid-2025. The Commission's plan includes enhancing transparency and traceability of energy imports to prevent rerouting of Russian energy through third countries.
The Commission's proposals for the 19th package of EU sanctions against Russia also focus on fortifying sanctions to end the war in Ukraine. Turkey's cooperation is crucial due to its role as a transit country and significant Russian energy consumer.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia began in 2022, and the discussion between von der Leyen and Trump focused on finding ways to strengthen sanctions against Russia to bring an end to the conflict. Trump also asked his allies to impose tariffs on China, but the focus remains on the escalating crisis in Ukraine.
Ursula von der Leyen reported about the call on Twitter, emphasizing the commitment of the EU and its allies to ending the war in Ukraine and holding Russia accountable for its actions. The proposed phase-out of Russian fossil fuel imports is a significant step towards achieving that goal.
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