a number of EU countries cannot quickly abandon energy resources from the Russian Federation – Kommersant

US authorities recognize that some European Union (EU) countries that import significant amounts of energy from Russia cannot quickly abandon them, said Matthew Miller, head of the State Department press service. He assures that EU countries are gradually taking steps to completely abandon Russian gas, oil and fossil fuels.

According to Mr. Miller, Washington is aware that a number of European countries imported large volumes of fossil fuels from Russia before its military operation in Ukraine. “And they could not immediately stop this without forcing their citizens to suffer in the cold winter without any power supply,” the press secretary explained at a briefing (quoted by TASS).

Matthew Miller assures that the United States “did not seek to withdraw Russian oil from the market due to the impact that this action could have on energy prices around the world,” as well as on American consumers. He clarified that Washington’s goal is to reduce Moscow’s profits.

In December 2022, the EU and G7 countries introduced a price limit on oil from Russia – it cannot be sold above $60 per barrel. From February 5, 2023, a ceiling of $100 and $45 per barrel is also in effect (for products that are traded at a premium and discount to oil, respectively). In June, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Russia’s income from the export of oil and petroleum products fell almost doubled year on year. The Washington Post wrotethat the United States is resisting Ukraine’s requests to lower the price ceiling on Russian oil to $30.

About the situation on the market – in the material “Kommersant” “IEA records underfilling”.

Laura Keffer