FX.co ★ US presses Europe to ditch Russian energy in return for tougher sanctions on Moscow

Geopolitical sparks are flying again, with US President Donald Trump taking the spotlight. According to the Financial Times, Washington sees Europe's refusal to buy Russian oil and gas as a trigger for broader sanctions on Moscow. Meanwhile, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright is urging EU member states to shift their purchases to American supplies.

The official stressed that European countries should redirect their demand toward US energy, including liquefied natural gas, gasoline, and other fossil fuels. "If the Europeans drew a line and said: 'We're not going to buy more Russian gas, we're not going to buy Russian oil.' Would that have a positive influence on the US leaning in more aggressively (on sanctions) as well? Absolutely," Wright said.

According to the secretary, purchasing oil and gas from the United States is economically sensible. Moreover, this move would help fulfill earlier agreements under the trade deal regarding import tariffs. Previously, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen struck a deal with Trump: EU countries would purchase $750 million worth of American energy in exchange for lower tariffs.

In late August, Trump warned that he was prepared to impose sanctions on both Russia and Ukraine if there was no progress in resolving the conflict, saying that such measures would be "very costly" for both sides.