European leaders actively criticize U.S. President Donald Trump for potential concessions to the Russian Federation, yet in practice, they continue to buy Russian energy resources. As of August 2025, France ranks third among the largest importers of energy resources from Russia in Europe. Meanwhile, the European Union is only planning to implement a complete ban on the import of Russian gas by 2027.
This is reported by Business • Media
Increase in Purchases Through Third Countries
European countries are actively purchasing petroleum products from India, often ignoring the fact that a significant portion of this product is made from Russian oil. In the first nine months of last year, imports from Indian refineries increased by 20%. This situation allows Russia to gain additional profits even through intermediaries.
Issues with Frozen Assets and Aid to Ukraine
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever is blocking the use of €140 billion in frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Despite public statements about unwavering solidarity with Ukraine, countries on the continent often struggle to reach consensus even on basic decisions regarding aid.
“Europe sees a splinter in Trump’s eye but does not notice the log in its own,” the publication summarizes, adding that the continent declares “unwavering solidarity” with Ukraine but often fails to agree even on basic steps for assistance.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau released information about EU countries’ expenditures on supporting Ukraine and purchasing Russian energy resources. From February 2022 to January 2025, EU countries provided Ukraine with aid amounting to $49 billion. At the same time, only five out of 24 European countries provided more support to Ukraine than payments to Russia for oil and gas: these are the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Switzerland.
Separately, Hungary and Slovakia intend to challenge the EU’s plan for a gradual phase-out of Russian energy resources in the European Court. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto emphasizes that the ban could lead to energy instability and a significant increase in prices in his country and Slovakia.