Macron: EU reliance on Russian energy now “very marginal”

French President Emmanuel Macron has downplayed U.S. concerns over Europe’s remaining imports of Russian energy, calling them “very marginal” and insisting the European Union has sharply reduced its reliance since the start of the war in Ukraine.

Speaking in an interview with CBS’s Face the Nation broadcast on September 21, Macron said the bloc has cut consumption of Russian oil and gas by more than 80%. “This is not a key driver today,” he stressed, challenging U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for European allies to fully halt purchases of Russian crude.

Trump last week pressed European countries to stop buying Russian oil, warning that he would only consider additional measures against Moscow “when the people that I’m fighting for are buying oil from Russia.” One proposal floated in Washington would introduce secondary tariffs of up to 100% on imports from China, India, and other states seen as helping sustain Russian energy revenues or transferring dual-use technologies to Moscow.

While the EU has significantly reduced imports overall, some member states remain reliant on Russian crude. Slovakia and Hungary have both signalled resistance to U.S. pressure, arguing that viable alternatives must first be secured. The EU has already approved a ban on petroleum products refined from Russian crude starting in 2026, and discussions are underway on phasing out Russian liquefied natural gas imports by 2027.

Asked whether he supports tougher measures, Macron replied that while he would favour new sanctions “tomorrow” if it were solely up to him, decisions must be taken collectively at the European level.

The French president also expressed caution over proposals to seize frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. “Regarding the frozen assets, we are all very much attached to be compliant with international rules. And you cannot seize these assets from the central bank even in such a situation,” he said.

The EU is holding about $300 billion in frozen Russian reserves. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested earlier this month that the funds could be leveraged to provide Ukraine with a “reparations loan,” but Macron’s remarks highlight lingering divisions within the bloc over how far to go.

By Vugar Khalilov