NextFin news, On Monday, September 8, 2025, in Washington, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright called on European Union countries to cease imports of Russian oil and gas. He proposed that the US would increase sanctions pressure on Moscow if Europe cuts its energy ties with Russia and instead purchases American liquefied natural gas (LNG), gasoline, and other energy products.
Wright made these remarks in an interview with the Financial Times, emphasizing that such a move would fulfill a US-EU trade agreement requiring Europe to buy $750 billion worth of US energy resources by the end of 2028. He stated, "If the Europeans drew a line and said: 'We're not going to buy more Russian gas, we're not going to buy Russian oil,' would that have a positive influence on the US leaning in more aggressively on sanctions as well? Absolutely."
The US official highlighted that cutting off Russian energy purchases would reduce funding for Russia's military operations, thereby potentially hastening the end of the war in Ukraine. Wright said, "Russia funds its war machine off oil exports and natural gas exports, and if you cut off European purchase of those, it shrinks their money."
In response, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, spokesperson for the European Commission on climate, energy, transport, and taxation, reaffirmed the EU's goal to phase out Russian energy imports by 2027. She noted that the European Commission proposed a legally binding ban on Russian gas and oil imports, aiming to enhance energy security, independence, and price stability.
The US call follows President Donald Trump's statement on Sunday, September 7, 2025, expressing readiness to impose a "second phase" of sanctions against Russia. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also indicated potential expansion of secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian oil.
European Council President Antonio Costa announced on September 5 that a European delegation would visit Washington to coordinate a new joint sanctions package against Russia. Despite the EU's efforts, in 2024, the bloc still imported significant volumes of Russian gas and oil, underscoring the challenge of fully ending dependence on Russian fossil fuels.
This development occurs amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and the war in Ukraine, with the US and EU seeking to tighten economic pressure on Russia by targeting its energy exports.
Explore more exclusive insights at nextfin.ai.
