Kathmandu. Despite sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European Union (EU) member states have imported $320.7 billion worth of energy from Russia from 2022 to date.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Monday that energy of that value was supplied to European Union (EU) countries during the period. According to him, in the first nine months of 2026 alone, $21.3 billion worth of Russian hydrocarbons were purchased. He said that despite the sanctions, energy supplies are continuing based on the exemptions in some areas, and Russian oil exports could reach pre-war levels by the end of this year.

Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmar Steinergaard said that the cost of energy imports from Russia was more than the aid provided to Ukraine. He said that since the start of the war in Ukraine, the European Union (EU) has provided 218.7 billion euros ($244 billion). He said that if the frozen Russian assets could be used, the aid to Ukraine could be almost doubled.

Despite the European Union (EU) imposing various sanctions on Russia, countries including France continue to import liquefied natural gas (LNG). Slovakia and Hungary have received exemptions on the purchase of Russian oil coming through the pipeline. Russian products processed in countries such as India and Turkey and transported to Europe are not included in the direct import figures. These countries and China have increased their purchases of Russian crude oil since 2022.

Meanwhile, European countries have criticized the agreement that allows the US to import Russian diesel. US President Donald Trump on Monday defended his decision, claiming that the European Union (EU) has paid Russia $250 billion in energy purchases. US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant also called the behavior of European countries that criticized the US deal on the purchase of Russian diesel as hypocritical that they continue to import energy from Russia.