EU plans to enforce economic penalties against China for importing Russian oil and gas

Europe should cease acquiring Russian energy supplies.

, and Administrator

2025 September 16 . 4:51 PM

2 min read

EU Prepares to Enact Pennalties Against China over Imports of Russian Fossil Fuels

EU plans to enforce economic penalties against China for importing Russian oil and gas

The European Commission is preparing a new package of restrictive measures aimed at stopping the importation of Russian energy resources. This move comes as the EU attempts to balance sanctions on Russia with energy security concerns and political negotiations within its member states.

The new package is intended to target Moscow, with the European Commission emphasising the need to stop importing Russian energy resources. The EU's goal is to gradually phase out these resources by 2027.

However, the road to this goal may not be straightforward. Hungary and possibly Slovakia may oppose such measures, as these two countries depend on Russian energy resources. This internal division within the EU could potentially hinder the implementation of the new measures.

Meanwhile, the US is also taking a firm stance against Russia. US President Donald Trump has expressed readiness for new measures in cooperation with the EU after failed attempts to force Putin into peace talks. The US Secretary of Energy, Chris Ray, suggests that the EU should stop its own purchases of Russian energy resources to successfully introduce new measures against Moscow.

Interestingly, China continues to be a significant player in the global energy market. Despite Western sanctions, China's demand for Russian oil has historically remained unaffected. In fact, Beijing is actively increasing its purchases of Russian energy resources, acquiring around 2 million barrels of oil per day. China is also preparing to open its domestic bond market to Russian energy companies.

The EU is currently discussing measures against China, the largest importer of Russian oil. Proposals for secondary EU sanctions are at a "very early stage" and require the unanimous agreement of all 27 EU countries.

Besides China, countries involved in discussions to acquire Russian natural gas and oil resources include India, Belarus, Iran, Pakistan, and four Central Asian states. The EU remains engaged in these discussions, but the internal divisions regarding sanctions are evident. Some member states, like Slovakia, rely heavily on Russian energy and demand guarantees for supply, while the EU collectively attempts to reduce dependence on Russian resources.

An EU delegation plans a trip to Washington to discuss sanctions with officials from the US Department of the Treasury. This meeting could potentially strengthen the alliance between the EU and the US in their joint efforts against Russia.

As the global political landscape shifts, it remains to be seen how the EU's new package of restrictive measures will impact the importation of Russian energy resources and the broader geopolitical dynamics.