Study Shows European Nations Spent More on Russian Oil and Gas Than They Gave Ukraine in Aid

The European Union claims unwavering support for Ukraine, yet data reveals that in 2024, it spent more on Russian oil and gas than it gave Ukraine in aid.

Key Facts:

European nations spent $23 billion on Russian fossil fuels in 2024, while providing only $19.6 billion in aid to Ukraine.
Despite sanctions, Russian fossil fuel revenues only declined 8% compared to pre-war levels.
Russia’s “shadow fleet” of 558 tankers moved 167 million metric tons of oil, bypassing price caps.
China, India, and Turkey increased their imports of Russian oil, helping sustain Russia’s economy.
U.S. energy restrictions under Biden left Europe dependent on Russian fuel, though Trump has since reversed them.

The Rest of The Story:

The European Union has positioned itself as a staunch ally of Ukraine, but its continued reliance on Russian fuel tells a different story.

According to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), European nations paid Russia $23 billion for oil and gas in 2024—significantly more than the $19.6 billion in aid sent to Ukraine.

Although the EU has reduced Russian fuel purchases since the 2022 invasion, it still accounts for about a quarter of Russia’s fossil fuel export revenue.

CREA argues that without stricter sanctions and a complete energy cutoff, European money will continue flowing into Moscow’s war machine.

Energy expert Jonathan Bass noted that the EU’s reliance on Russian gas remains because it is cheaper than alternatives, even with geopolitical risks.

He also pointed out that Biden’s energy policies made it harder for Europe to secure American liquefied natural gas (LNG), though Trump has reversed those restrictions.

However, with Europe’s infrastructure built for Russian pipelines, a rapid shift remains unlikely.

CNN's Jake Tapper admits that Europeans are funding both sides of the war in Ukraine.

"Europeans were actually buying more Russian oil and gas than they were helping Ukraine… So in some ways, the Europeans are funding both sides of the war."

Wow, if only someone had called… pic.twitter.com/IBBMgeGS6z

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 4, 2025

Commentary:

The EU’s actions show just how empty its promises of “unlimited” support for Ukraine really are.

If European leaders were serious about weakening Russia, they would stop bankrolling its energy sector.

Instead, they talk tough about Ukraine while keeping their economies dependent on Russian gas.

This is not just bad policy—it’s military and strategic incompetence.

Funding both sides of a war is a recipe for failure.

European nations are essentially paying Russia to sustain its war effort while sending barely enough to Ukraine to keep it fighting.

This self-imposed contradiction only prolongs the war and makes a resolution more difficult.

Trump is right, Europe has spent $125 billion on biying Russian oil and gas, while spending only94 Billion to aid Ukraine war efforts. https://t.co/7lMuxp9VBr pic.twitter.com/S3Mcvc8V1K

— Skscartoon (@skscartoon) March 4, 2025

It’s no wonder Trump has sidelined Europe in diplomatic efforts with Russia.

How can European leaders be taken seriously in peace talks when their economies are still fueling Moscow’s war machine?

Their dependence on Russian energy exposes their unwillingness to make real sacrifices for Ukraine.

The Biden administration made matters worse by restricting U.S. LNG exports, leaving Europe with fewer alternatives to Russian fuel.

While Trump has reversed those restrictions, rebuilding America’s energy supply chain will take time.

In the meantime, European leaders continue to send mixed signals—condemning Russia in public while financing its economy in private.

This is yet another example of why the West’s energy policy needs a complete overhaul.

If Europe truly wants to stand against Russia, it must break free from its dependence on Russian fuel, not just make symbolic gestures of support for Ukraine.