Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has described US President Donald Trump as a “businessman” prioritizing American economic interests, commenting on Trump’s push for European nations to adopt US oil and gas. Peskov stated that Trump’s repeated calls for EU members to cease Russian energy imports reflect his focus on securing US economic gains. The remarks followed Trump’s speech at the UN General Assembly, where he threatened “strong tariffs” on Russia’s trade partners unless demands to end the Ukraine conflict were met.
Peskov told Russian outlet RBK that Trump’s approach exemplifies a strategy to force global reliance on American energy, citing a satirical analogy about European buyers paying more for US oil. He noted that while Trump has influenced EU energy shifts, the transition has burdened European budgets and taxpayers. Meanwhile, Russia has adapted by redirecting energy exports to markets like China and India.
The EU has significantly reduced Russian energy dependence since 2022, aiming to eliminate fossil fuel imports by 2027. However, Hungary and Slovakia remain key buyers, with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stating infrastructure and contractual constraints prevent supplier changes. Moscow has dismissed Western sanctions as illegitimate, warning that US demands could destabilize EU energy security and inflate costs through intermediaries.