There are growing concerns in Eastern Europe that U.S. President Donald Trump could propose sweeping economic concessions to Russia as part of a potential peace deal with Moscow to end the Ukraine conflict. According to reports from Politico, the Trump administration is being considered to lift sanctions on Russian energy exports, a move that could severely undermine Western efforts to economically isolate Russia. The decision would represent a significant reversal of U.S. policy and has sparked fears among European allies.
The article highlights the potential impact of such a move on the global energy market and the geopolitical strategy of the United States. Eastern European diplomats have expressed concern that the Trump administration could offer Moscow “enormous economic deals” that could weaken the Western coalition’s pressure on Russia. This would involve lifting sanctions on Russian energy exports, a move described as a “sledgehammer” that could damage the effectiveness of Western economic isolation tactics.
Since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022, the West has imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia, with energy exports being a central target. The EU, once heavily reliant on Russian supplies, has sought to cut ties, though Russia still accounts for 17.5% of its LNG imports, second only to the United States, which holds a 45.3% share. In May, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed phasing out all remaining Russian gas imports by the end of 2027, a plan that has drawn strong criticism from several member states.
The EU has invested heavily in LNG infrastructure, linking terminals to Central and Eastern Europe. Countries such as Lithuania were prepared to pay a premium for American gas over the cheaper Russian alternative. However, Politico noted that Brussels’ latest $750 billion energy deal with Washington would require the bloc to slash purchases from other suppliers, including cheaper sources, and more than triple its US imports.
Despite these efforts, the economic pull of Russian gas remains strong. In Germany, some politicians have signaled an openness to resuming imports to revive the country’s struggling industry. Russian energy, the sources noted, remains more affordable than U.S. supplies once shipping and processing costs are factored in.
Russia maintains it is a reliable energy supplier and has denounced Western restrictions as illegal under international law. Moscow has redirected most exports to ‘friendly’ markets, mostly in Asia.