Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced on Wednesday in her speech to EU lawmakers that the union will continue its sanctions on Russian fossil fuels, even after the recent agreement between the United States and Moscow regarding diesel imports.
Lack of Trust in Russia
Von der Leyen emphasized: "Russia is not a reliable energy supplier, as we have experienced that this country can turn energy dependencies into a pressure tool whenever it wants." She referred to the cut in gas supplies to Europe by Russia and said: "This is a lesson that Europe will never forget."
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U.S. Agreement with Russia
Earlier this month, Donald Trump, President of the United States, announced an agreement with Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, to reduce sanctions on diesel imports until April 2027. This agreement comes as global oil prices are rising. Trump defended his agreement a few days later, stating that the European Union has also purchased billions of dollars in energy from Moscow.
Trade Imbalance with China
Von der Leyen also referred to the trade imbalance with China and announced that the European Commission will soon introduce a new tool to address this challenge. This tool is based on a proposal made by Berlin and Paris earlier this month and will allow the Commission to restrict or even ban imports from countries that disrupt the single market.
Additional Measures to Support European Industries
This new tool will work alongside the diversification tool and the solidarity mechanism currently under development. Von der Leyen said: "We are witnessing job losses in our industrial heart" and added that the European Union is seeking new agreements with Beijing. This comes as an agreement to limit imports of Chinese hybrids has already been signed. According to sources, the European Union expects to prioritize chemicals and industrial machinery in its efforts to support European industries against Chinese competition.
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