EU NEEDS U.S BACKING TO QUIT RUSSIAN OIL- Says EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen
EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen stated today that the European Union would welcome U.S. President Donald Trump’s support for its plans to stop buying Russian oil, purchases of which are helping to finance Moscow’s war in Ukraine
The European Union is negotiating legal proposals to phase out EU imports of Russian oil and gas by January 1, 2028, as it seeks to sever decades-old energy ties with Moscow.
Jorgensen, who is responsible for the EU’s energy policies, said he had not come under pressure from the U.S. administration to halt Russian oil purchases faster than the 2028 deadline, but would welcome U.S. backing for the EU plan.
Europe’s purchases of Russian gas are expected to shrink to around 13% of its needs this year, from roughly 45% before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to EU figures.
Hungary and Slovakia continue to import Russian crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline, and have opposed the EU’s phase-out plan – saying it would hike energy prices.Jorgensen said he was in talks with both governments about their concerns – but that, if needed, EU countries could approve the phase-out plans without them.
