Calls for a complete halt to European oil imports from Russia are gaining traction within German conservative circles, echoing a recent statement by U.S. President Donald Trump. Several members of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party are voicing their support for stricter measures against Moscow.
Roderich Kiesewetter, a CDU member of the Bundestag and defense expert, acknowledged the validity of Trump’s point, referencing earlier observations from Senator JD Vance regarding Europe’s actions. He emphasized that Europe possesses the capacity to implement significantly stronger sanctions, including a complete cessation of oil and gas imports from Russia and thereby deprive Moscow of vital financial resources.
Thomas Röwekamp, Chairman of the Defense Committee in the Bundestag, echoed this sentiment, urging Europe to consider Trump’s call for intensified sanctions as an opportunity. He stressed the necessity of decisive and unified action, advocating for a rapid phasing out of indirect energy imports from Russia, the confiscation of frozen Russian assets and increased pressure on nations maintaining close ties with Moscow. Röwekamp underlined that European credibility hinges on a unified approach to ensure sanctions achieve the intended effect.
While acknowledging the potential benefits of such a move, Kiesewetter cautioned against overlooking Trump’s motivations, suggesting he may be leveraging the European issue to deflect attention from his own lack of sanctions and to gain time. Nevertheless, Kiesewetter conceded that U.S. sanctions, particularly secondary sanctions targeting third-party nations like India and China who continue trade with Russia, have demonstrably impactful consequences.
