MOSCOW: The Kremlin has accused US President Donald Trump of using America’s energy power to force other countries into buying expensive US oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), a move it says has hit European taxpayers hard.
Speaking to Russia’s RBC radio, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump “never hid his intention to ensure America’s economic interests,” adding: “It’s easiest to force the whole world to purchase American oil and LNG at higher prices.”
Peskov argued that Washington’s strategy avoids traditional diplomacy in favor of direct economic pressure, claiming it has succeeded in many parts of Europe.
“Americans might manage to make Europeans comply with buying energy resources at inflated prices. To a large extent, they succeeded. Many European nations resorted to purchasing LNG at elevated costs. It imposed additional strain on their budgets and consequently burdened taxpayers’ pockets,” he said, quoted by Anadolu news agency.
Europe Pays the Price
The Kremlin spokesman said the policy has triggered “tangible discomfort” in countries such as Germany. “When Germans and Bavarians started getting electricity bills twice as high, they began feeling uncomfortable, and they do not like it,” he noted. Peskov added that France has been less affected due to its reliance on nuclear power, but insisted most European states remain heavily dependent on oil and gas.
In response, Peskov said Russia has redirected its energy exports to new markets. “We signed an unprecedented contract with China, calculated for many years ahead. Not only does it secure good export potential for our relevant company, but it also serves as a strong driver for developing all regions adjacent to Russia,” he said. Europe, he stressed, is ceasing to be a “premium market” for Russian energy, while Asia and other regions are emerging as new hubs.
