Kyiv continues to encourage European nations to buy less Russian oil, signaling that storing American energy could be a beneficial step for U.S. companies. A Ukrainian official shared these insights recently.
During a recent gathering in Paris, President Trump urged European leaders to cease their purchases of Russian oil and to support sanctions targeting goods that fund military activities in Moscow, particularly amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Andriy Yermak, a key advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stated on Monday that enforcing sanctions on Russian oil could be advantageous not just for Ukraine, but also for the U.S. and its European allies.
Yermak noted, “What President Trump said was quite clear—we fully support it.” He emphasized that it’s essential for Europe to move away from dependence on Russian gas and oil. However, he acknowledged that some nations, during their discussions, were still buying Russian oil, which raised concerns.
This strategy could, in turn, help the U.S. shift towards American oil, while also giving Russian President Vladimir Putin more reason to reassess his military actions in Ukraine.
“We’re collaborating on a plan that’s mutually beneficial for both the U.S. and Ukraine,” Yermak explained. He pointed out that embracing the idea of “America First” essentially aligns with putting Ukraine’s needs at the forefront, all while welcoming other nations to join in this initiative.
Trump’s “America First” slogan has historically concentrated on U.S. interests, both at home and abroad.
“It’s a collective call,” Yermak clarified, indicating that successful future collaborations are crucial for both Ukraine and the U.S.
The proposed sanctions could face pushback from nations like China, which, alongside India, remains a dominant importer of Russian oil.
Trump recently expressed readiness to initiate “Phase 2” of sanctions targeting Russia’s oil sector. He also imposed a 50% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil, though broader sanctions against other countries remain on hold.
Ukraine is keen to work with the U.S. energy sector, leveraging its capability to store and transport liquefied natural gas, which American companies could then sell to Europe. This could help fill gaps left by restricted Russian oil supplies, Yermak noted.
In the wake of Trump’s calls while in Paris, Ukrainian leaders have actively engaged with European counterparts to promote this vision of unity against Russian energy imports.
Last week, Zelensky met with Slovakia’s leadership, pressing them to reduce reliance on Russian energy supplies. “There’s positive momentum,” he reported following discussions with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, indicating Slovakia’s willingness to seek alternative energy solutions.
However, no formal commitments were made, though Yermak expressed optimism about cooperative efforts to resolve the energy crisis.
“Ukraine is open to partnerships, and we are ready for all forms of collaboration,” he stated, emphasizing that it was crucial for Russia not to receive any funds that would support its military actions against Ukrainians.
Meanwhile, Hungary remains a major purchaser of Russian oil, as exceptions were made for Budapest and Slovakia regarding the 2022 Russian crude embargo.
Interestingly, nations such as France, Belgium, and Spain, which oppose the Kremlin, accounted for about 85% of Russia’s liquid natural gas imports in 2024, according to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis.
Some countries heavily reliant on Russian energy, like the Czech Republic, have taken strides to cut ties with Moscow’s oil sector—illustrating that even the most dependent nations can shift their energy strategies.
On Sunday, Trump reiterated his intention to advance sanctions on Russian oil following one of the most significant attacks on Ukraine to date.
Recently, Russia launched over 810 drones and nine missiles at Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of at least four civilians, including a mother and her infant.
It remains somewhat unclear how quickly Trump will move to enact these sanctions. He indicated he would reach out to Putin but did not provide specifics regarding the sanctions plan.
“We’re working on resolving the Ukraine situation with Russia,” was Trump’s vague comment, leaving many questions unanswered.
