US President Donald Trump has claimed that the European Union (EU) is spending significantly more on purchasing Russian oil and gas than on providing financial and military aid to Ukraine, despite the ongoing conflict between Kiev and Moscow. In a Truth Social post on March 4, Trump criticized European leaders for continuing to rely on Russian energy while depending on US support to sustain Ukraine’s war efforts. “Europe has spent more money buying Russian Oil and Gas than they have spent on defending Ukraine – BY FAR!” he wrote. His remarks come amid growing scrutiny of the EU’s energy policies, as the bloc struggles to eliminate Russian fossil fuel imports despite repeated sanctions and commitments to energy independence.

Following Russia’s escalation of hostilities in Ukraine in 2022 and the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, the EU pledged to reduce its reliance on Russian energy sources. Many member states voluntarily curtailed their imports of Russian pipeline gas, yet others have continued to purchase liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia. Unlike pipeline gas, Russian LNG has not been entirely sanctioned, allowing for its continuous flow into European markets.

Data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea) reveals that in 2024 alone, EU countries spent approximately €21.9 billion (over $23 billion) on Russian oil and gas imports. This figure exceeds the $20 billion allocated by the bloc in financial aid to Ukraine last year, as estimated by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel). Additionally, the analytics firm Kpler reported that imports of Russian LNG by EU member states reached an all-time high in the first half of 2024, positioning Russia as the second-largest supplier of LNG to the bloc, trailing only the United States.

The European Commission has acknowledged the ongoing flow of Russian energy to the EU despite pledges to sever dependence. Spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen admitted that........

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