Key facts
- EU sanctions on Russian fossil fuels will remain in place.
- Russia is not a trusted energy supplier, according to von der Leyen.
- The EU plans to introduce a new tool to restrict or ban imports from distorting countries by December.
- The U.S. reached an agreement with Russia to ease diesel import sanctions until April 2027.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Wednesday morning that the European Union will not ease sanctions on Russian fossil fuels, despite a recent deal between the U.S. and Moscow concerning diesel imports. She emphasized that Russia cannot be considered a trusted energy supplier, citing its past use of energy dependencies to exert pressure on other nations. Von der Leyen recalled Russia's decision to cut gas supplies to Europe as a lesson that the continent will not forget. Earlier in October, U.S. President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to temporarily lift sanctions on diesel fuel imports, a move that comes amid rising global oil prices. Trump later defended this decision by pointing to the EU's own significant purchases of Russian fossil fuels. Von der Leyen also addressed trade imbalances with China, confirming that the European Commission will introduce a new restrictive tool by December. This proposed instrument, similar to one suggested by Germany and France, aims to empower the EU to limit or ban imports from countries that distort the single market, with expedited action possible.