US demands EU stops buying Russian gas if it wants new sanctions on Putin - FT

US demands EU stops buying Russian gas if it wants new sanctions on Putin - FT

The Trump administration has demanded that the European Union (EU) halt its purchases of Russian gas if it wishes to join in proposed sanctions targeting nations that continue to support the Kremlin's war effort in Ukraine. This stance comes as the EU is considering new sanctions on Russian banks and energy companies, aiming to increase pressure on President Vladimir Putin to end the conflict [1].

The EU is already exploring a package of measures that could include sanctions on Russian payment and credit card systems, crypto exchanges, and further restrictions on the country's oil trade. The bloc is coordinating these efforts with the US, with a delegation of EU officials set to travel to Washington this week to meet with US counterparts [1]. The US has been weighing sanctions on Moscow's covert fleet of oil tankers and energy firms Rosneft PJSC and Lukoil PJSC, while the EU is considering tighter sanctions on major Russian oil companies and export bans on goods used by Moscow's military industry [1].

The EU has also been considering a ban on Russian oil imports by January 1, 2028, but some member states, including Hungary and Slovakia, are resisting this plan due to concerns about energy prices and potential shortages [2]. Meanwhile, the US has started punishing countries that continue to buy Russian fuel, with India being one of the most recent targets of US tariffs [2].

The US has expressed disappointment with Russia's continued aggression and has called for increased cooperation from European partners. The Trump administration wants Europe to join in sanctions with Washington and to stop purchasing Russian oil, a senior White House official told The Post [3]. This demand comes as the US is considering new sanctions, with President Trump suggesting that a Russian economic "collapse" could bring Putin to peace talks with Ukraine [1].

The EU and the US are also discussing a massive gas purchase deal, with the EU promising to buy $250 billion worth of US energy each year under an ongoing trade deal. However, analysts have called this target unrealistic, as the EU lacks the power to control private energy company imports [2]. Despite these challenges, the EU is moving forward with its plan to slash its dependence on Russian oil and gas, with the bloc's energy ministers expected to approve the plan at their next meeting [2].

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-09-08/eu-weighs-new-sanctions-on-russia-to-hit-banks-and-oil-trade
[2] https://www.cryptopolitan.com/eu-sticks-to-ending-russian-oil-imports/
[3] https://nypost.com/2025/09/02/world-news/us-wants-europe-to-stop-buying-russian-oil-join-proposed-sanctions/