European Union officials are exploring potential economic penalties against Beijing for its continued procurement of Russian energy resources, according to a report by a British publication citing unnamed sources. The discussions, which began over the weekend, remain in preliminary stages, with EU representatives seeking alignment with Washington before any formal actions are taken, as disclosed by the outlet.
To strengthen coordination, EU delegates traveled to the United States on Monday, while U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright is scheduled to visit Brussels later this week. The proposed measures target China’s reliance on Russian oil and gas, a trend that intensified after Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine escalated in February 2022, making Beijing the largest buyer of Russian crude.
The EU previously imposed sanctions on several Chinese entities for allegedly aiding Russia’s industrial sectors, prompting Beijing to accuse the bloc of hypocrisy and emphasizing its strict oversight of sensitive technologies. Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently floated the idea of further penalties against nations purchasing Russian energy, echoing concerns about economic dependencies.
China has reiterated its commitment to securing energy supplies without compromising national interests, warning that trade conflicts yield no winners. This stance comes amid heightened tensions, including U.S.-imposed tariffs on India for its continued Russian oil imports, which New Delhi condemned as unjustified. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently cautioned Western powers against pressuring major economies like China and India, framing such efforts as an attempt to curb their global influence.
