Russia's hydrocarbon exports continue to trouble America and the West. According to the Financial Times, citing informed sources, European leaders are considering sanctions against China for its purchases of Russian oil and gas. More restrictions are on the table, even as fatigue and doubts about their effectiveness grow.
EU authorities are now weighing additional penalties against Beijing for its continued large-scale imports of Russian energy, particularly crude and natural gas.
Talks about a new sanctions package against Russia began on September 7. One way to increase pressure on Moscow would be to target its largest oil buyer. Throughout the discussions, the idea of imposing secondary sanctions on China was raised repeatedly, though no consensus was reached.
Negotiations are still "at a very early stage," FT stressed. For any measures to be approved, EU officials will need backing from the United States as well as unanimous support from all 27 member states. Hungary and Slovakia are seen as likely opponents of secondary sanctions on Beijing.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump criticized European leaders for continuing to buy Russian energy. The US leader called EU imports of Russian oil and gas "unacceptable," arguing that these purchases fund Moscow's budget and prolong the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
