Western Europe Accused of Hypocrisy Over Russian Energy

US President Donald Trump has exposed the hypocrisy of Western European countries regarding Russian energy sources, the director of Századvég’s Energy and Climate Policy Business Unit said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

Olivér Hortay pointed out that Brussels had tried to “bashing” Hungary and Slovakia after Donald Trump called on NATO countries to stop buying Russian oil and impose sanctions on intermediaries.

However, he added that

the real issue was not with the two countries that rely on Russian energy due to historical and geographical reasons—and whose purchases are relatively minor in a global context—but rather with those that have officially distanced themselves from Russian supplies, yet in practice continue to purchase large amounts through intermediaries.

The expert cited as an example that India’s oil imports from Russia amounted to three million tons in 2021, but rose to 90 million tons by 2024, while imports by NATO member Türkiye increased from 6 to 13 million tons. He pointed out that during the same period, Kazakhstan’s oil exports to the EU rose from 40 to 55 million tons, India’s oil exports from 5 to 15 million tons, and Türkiye’s from 5 to 12 million tons.

Olivér Hortay emphasized that while pipeline deliveries were declining, EU purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas rose from 12 to 20 billion cubic meters, with most of it arriving at French, Spanish, and Belgian ports. He also noted that Russia’s share of the nuclear fuel market continues to exceed 20 percent in the EU.

The Századvég energy unit director considered it telling that

while “the mainstream media was preoccupied with Hungary and Slovakia,” Brussels postponed the presentation of the new sanctions package indefinitely, just two days after Trump’s call.

Featured image: Wikimedia Commons

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