US President Donald Trump has urged European leaders to stop buying Russian oil as part of efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Energy remains Russia’s most profitable export, and fuel revenues continue to help finance the conflict. In response, the EU is negotiating legal proposals to phase out oil and gas imports from Russia by January 1, 2028.
Jorgensen said that Russia has weaponized energy supplies and blackmailed EU member states, making it essential for Europe to cut off this source of funding. He stressed that this is the Union’s main strategic goal.
Hungary and Slovakia currently import around 200,000 to 250,000 barrels of Russian oil per day through the Druzhba pipeline, representing about 3 percent of the EU’s total oil demand. Both countries oppose the phase-out plan, warning of higher energy costs. EU gas imports from Russia, although down from about 45 percent before the 2022 invasion, are still expected to account for around 13 percent of European demand this year.
The United States has imposed punitive tariffs on India for continuing to buy Russian oil, prompting India to accuse the West of hypocrisy. Within the EU, Jorgensen said he had spoken with Hungarian and Slovak officials, but noted the bloc can adopt the plan without their consent if necessary. He did not confirm whether Brussels might offer financial or legal guarantees to gain their support.
