Kaja Kallas backs Trump, says Europe has to give up Russian oil
Photo: EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas (Getty Images)
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stressed that some European countries' dependence on Russian energy fuels the war and undermines the bloc's unity, according to her interview with Sky News.
Kaja Kallas said that US President Donald Trump is right to criticize European countries for continuing to buy oil and gas from Russia. She believes that EU countries should abandon Russian energy sources.
The European Commission has already proposed a gradual phase-out of Russian oil and gas purchases by January 1, 2028. This is part of Brussels' strategy to sever long-standing energy ties with Moscow following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Most EU countries stopped importing Russian oil in 2022 and fuel in 2023. But Hungary and Slovakia continue to supply them.
This dependence fuels the war
Kallas stressed that Trump's statements are not without reason.
“Of course he has a point. We have been saying this for quite some time, that the dependency on Russian oil and gas is actually also fuelling the war," she said.
She stressed that it is unfortunate to see that not all EU countries have abandoned Russian resources, even though neighboring countries offer real alternatives.
Not sanctions, but alternatives
Kallas explained that she does not consider it necessary to impose sanctions against Hungary or Slovakia. In her opinion, these countries should “really build on the alternatives that neighbours are providing them to get rid of the Russian oil and gas like President Trump has asked.”
Slovakia responds
On Wednesday, Slovakia responded to criticism of its purchases of Russian energy resources. Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár said that the country was ready to discuss the issue, but drew attention to the 30% increase in purchases of Russian liquefied gas in Western Europe over the past year.
“France, Spain, and the Netherlands... so can you see the picture is a little bit more colourful than black and white,” he said.
Trump's statements
The US president has repeatedly complained about Europe buying too much Russian oil. He has also actively criticized the EU for its “too weak” sanctions against Russia.
On September 23, Trump reminded the UN General Assembly that Europe continues to buy energy from Russia despite the full-scale war in Ukraine.
According to Trump, it looks like Europe is “financing a war against itself.”
Later, when meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the UN, Trump said he could use his good relations with Viktor Orbán to ask Hungary to stop buying Russian oil.
In response, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó made it clear to Trump that Hungary would not abandon Russian energy sources.
