The European Commission will propose increased tariffs on Russian oil that two member countries, Hungary and Slovakia, continue to import, following calls to that effect from Donald Trump.
Brussels – The Commission will present “in due time” a proposal to impose tariffs on Russian oil, a spokesperson, Olof Gill, indicated on Wednesday.
On Tuesday before the United Nations, the American president once again criticized European purchases of Russian oil, denouncing it as “inexcusable” behavior.
“They are financing the war against themselves. Who has ever heard of such a thing?” he exclaimed.
Mr. Trump has conditioned the implementation of American sanctions against Russia on a halt to these European imports.
These have significantly decreased since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The EU purchased 1.75 billion euros worth of Russian oil in the second quarter of this year, compared to nearly 29 billion during the same period in 2021.
By deciding in 2022 to wean itself off Russian oil, the Union granted an exemption to Hungary and Slovakia, countries that are very dependent on this energy source. Challenging this would require their agreement. But by proposing tariffs, Brussels seeks to circumvent this difficulty. (September 24, 2025)
