Brief
Russia claims EU bought $320 billion in hydrocarbons
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said the figure includes $21.3 billion in the first nine months of 2026.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Russia’s deputy prime minister for energy, Alexander Novak, told television on Monday that European Union countries have bought more than $320 billion worth of Russian hydrocarbons since 2022, despite sanctions imposed after the war in Ukraine.
Novak said the total for the period "from 2022 to today" amounts to $320.7 billion and that European buyers purchased $21.3 billion of Russian oil and gas in the first nine months of 2026 alone. He added that "despite sanctions‑related restrictions, we continue to supply energy resources in certain areas for which exemptions have been granted" and suggested Russian oil exports could reach pre‑war levels by the end of the year.
Swedish foreign minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, speaking in Luxembourg, contrasted the Russian figure with the €218.7 billion (about $244 billion) in financial and military support the EU has provided to Ukraine since the conflict began. She said, "We have imported a higher amount to the EU countries than we have given support to Ukraine," and noted that using frozen Russian assets could almost double the aid given to Kyiv.
The report also highlighted that several EU members, including France, continue to source liquefied natural gas from Moscow, while landlocked states such as Slovakia and Hungary benefit from pipeline exemptions that allow them to purchase Russian oil.
Key facts
- Russia says EU bought $320.7 billion of hydrocarbons since 2022 (france24.com)
- EU aid to Ukraine totals €218.7 billion since the war began (france24.com)
- European purchases in the first nine months of 2026 were $21.3 billion (france24.com)
Sources
- [1] france24.com — originally reported as “Russia says Europe bought $320 billion in hydrocarbons since 2022”
