What happened
The European Union remains heavily dependent on Russian energy, with the bloc buying 5% of Russia's crude oil exports and 48% of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. The EU is also the largest buyer of Russian pipeline gas, accounting for 32% of exports.
According to data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), the EU has been one of Moscow's largest customers, surpassing China for certain products. The data shows that Russia's LNG export revenues have reached a near four-year high, with overall oil and gas revenue rising 10% year-over-year to $12 billion.
The continued purchases of Russian energy have drawn criticism, as they are seen as undermining efforts to deprive Moscow of revenue during the war in Ukraine. The European Commission has pushed back against the Kremlin's claim that Brussels paid Russia $321 billion for energy since 2022, stating that the actual amount is $209 billion.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has faced criticism for his diesel deal with Vladimir Putin, which would see Russia supply diesel to the United States and global markets despite Russia's export ban. The deal has been met with sharp rebukes from lawmakers in Washington, Kyiv, and Brussels.
The EU's plans to phase out Russian gas imports by the end of 2026 and restrict Russian pipeline gas by the fall of 2027 are also unlikely to happen, according to audit findings. The report cites geopolitical strains, policy obstacles, and Europe's difficulty refilling gas storage before winter as reasons for the likely delay.
