{"id":1951536,"date":"2026-05-22T08:04:52","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T05:04:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1951536"},"modified":"2026-05-22T08:04:52","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T05:04:52","slug":"eu-economy-chief-certain-the-bloc-will-not-return-to-russian-gas-or-oil-as-energy-crisis-bites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1951536","title":{"rendered":"EU economy chief certain the bloc will not return to Russian gas or oil as energy crisis bites"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/81\/46\/1200x675_cmsv2_335a983a-ad0b-54fc-97d2-bde2c53d3e1e-9768146.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2896068-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896068\" data-cid=\"9770283\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896068-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/02\/83\/189x106_cmsv2_113ac0ed-c9ba-5045-bbee-7b8dea69b4d4-9770283.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt='President Donald Trump looks toward Air Force One from his limousine known as \"The Beast,\" upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Friday, May 22, 2026.' height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US and Iran &#8216;getting a lot closer&#8217; to an agreement to end war, Trump s\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896069-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2896069\" data-cid=\"9770284\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896069-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/02\/84\/189x106_cmsv2_08a95963-ec9d-5351-adba-0cadfa97d66e-9770284.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | May 23rd, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | May 23rd, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896002-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2896002\" data-cid=\"9770119\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896002-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/00\/35\/189x106_cmsv2_5f6bae94-9a08-5ecb-92fc-2bca24fb2d27-9770035.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV in Acerra, in the Neapolitan area - 23\/05\/2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Pope Leo XIV visits Italy&#8217;s &#8216;Land of Fires&#8217;\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896055-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2896055\" data-cid=\"9770186\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896055-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/01\/86\/189x106_cmsv2_abcb2aed-1b2d-5d29-b68f-eef40c3b7e96-9770186.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy leaves a press conference at the German-Ukrainian government consultations in Berlin Germany, Tuesday, April 14, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Zelenskyy insists Ukraine deserves full EU membership\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896068-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2896068\" data-cid=\"9770283\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896068-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/02\/83\/189x106_cmsv2_113ac0ed-c9ba-5045-bbee-7b8dea69b4d4-9770283.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt='President Donald Trump looks toward Air Force One from his limousine known as \"The Beast,\" upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Friday, May 22, 2026.' height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Iran<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US and Iran &#8216;getting a lot closer&#8217; to an agreement to end war, Trump s\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896069-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2896069\" data-cid=\"9770284\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896069-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/02\/84\/189x106_cmsv2_08a95963-ec9d-5351-adba-0cadfa97d66e-9770284.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | May 23rd, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | May 23rd, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896002-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2896002\" data-cid=\"9770119\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896002-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/00\/35\/189x106_cmsv2_5f6bae94-9a08-5ecb-92fc-2bca24fb2d27-9770035.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pope Leo XIV in Acerra, in the Neapolitan area - 23\/05\/2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Pope Leo XIV visits Italy&#8217;s &#8216;Land of Fires&#8217;\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896055-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2896055\" data-cid=\"9770186\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896055-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/01\/86\/189x106_cmsv2_abcb2aed-1b2d-5d29-b68f-eef40c3b7e96-9770186.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy leaves a press conference at the German-Ukrainian government consultations in Berlin Germany, Tuesday, April 14, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Zelenskyy insists Ukraine deserves full EU membership\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe Today<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            EU economy chief certain the bloc will not return to Russian gas or oil as energy crisis bites<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative u-max-width-1280 u-margin-x-auto\" data-video='{\"id\":\"xaas9vs\",\"articleId\":2895633,\"title\":\"EU economy chief certain the bloc will not return to Russian gas or oil as energy crisis bites\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/44\/67\/58\/06\/SHD_PYR_4467586_20260522065848.mp4\",\"programId\":\"europe-today\",\"player\":\"dailymotion\",\"geoBlock\":[\"\"],\"sources\":[{\"file\":\"https:\/\/video.euronews.com\/mp4\/SHD\/44\/67\/58\/06\/SHD_PYR_4467586_20260522065848.mp4\",\"label\":\"hd\",\"default\":true}],\"description\":\"Exclusive: European Commissioner for the Economy Valdis Dombrovskis said Russia is milking the crisis in the Middle East for energy profits u2013 and the EU will not ease on its sanction regime for cheaper oil or gas flows.\",\"isLive\":false,\"articleUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/video\/2026\/05\/22\/eu-economy-chief-certain-the-bloc-will-not-return-to-russian-gas-or-oil-as-energy-crisis-b\",\"duration\":227880}' data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/81\/46\/1536x864_cmsv2_335a983a-ad0b-54fc-97d2-bde2c53d3e1e-9768146.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Valdis Dombrovskis, EU COmmissioner for Economy and Productivity\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Valdis Dombrovskis, EU COmmissioner for Economy and Productivity<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Euronews<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Euronews\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspMaria Tadeo&amp;nbsp&amp;&amp;nbspAngela Skujins\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1779437092\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-05-22 10:04:52 +02:00\">22\/05\/2026 &#8211; 10:04 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"11:29\">11:29<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay js-c-article-partage-commentaire-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div 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loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed_container u-display-none\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed__tooltip\"><br \/>\n                            Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-partage-commentaire-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-partage-commentaire-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Exclusive: European Commissioner for the Economy Valdis Dombrovskis said Russia is milking the crisis in the Middle East for energy profits \u2013 and the EU will not ease on its sanction regime for cheaper oil or gas flows.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>European Commissioner for the Economy Valdis Dombrovskis has said in exclusive comments to Euronews that the EU \u201cshould not\u201d look to cheap Russian fossil fuels and gas for relief as the energy crisis persists.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cIf anything, we need to strengthen sanctions against Russia, not ease, because actually Russia is a country benefiting from this conflict in the Middle East and those higher energy prices, getting substantial windfall profits, so we should not facilitate it further,\u201d Dombrovskis told Euronews\u2019 <strong>Europe Today<\/strong> programme.<\/p>\n<p>On Tuesday the UK government published an open-ended licence allowing the import of diesel and jet fuel made from Russian crude oil in other countries, such as Turkey and India, where the oil is purchased at discounted prices.<\/p>\n<p>A separate licence enables the provision of short-term service contracts with Russia&#8217;s Sakhalin-2 and Yamal LNG projects until January 2027.<\/p>\n<p>As Ukraine and its allies were left blindsided by the announcement \u2013 an unusual move from London as Prime Minister Keir Starmer has remained one of Ukraine\u2019s staunchest supporters \u2013 number 10 Downing Street downplayed the incident as poor communication.<\/p>\n<p>Asked whether the EU would walk back some of its sanctions targeting Russian oil and gas to support households faced with mammoth energy bills, Dombrovskis ruled out the possibility and said there is a \u201cstrategic decision\u201d to continue moving away from Moscow. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe already saw back in 2022 that Russia tried to use its fossil fuel supplies as a tool for blackmail and manipulation, and we paid a quite dear economic price for having this dependency from Russia, so therefore there&#8217;s no point of going back to this,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Europe\u2019s economy is projected to weaken this year as the war in Iran and ongoing tensions in the Middle East have sparked the second biggest energy crisis in the past five years following Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n<p>Dombrovskis said there was no risk of Europe being plunged into blackouts, a concern that had emerged during the 2022 energy crisis.<\/p>\n<p>EU lawmakers have pushed to formally ban all remaining Russian gas flows by 2027 and permanently phase out oil imports earlier than expected.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>The Rome conundrum<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>On Monday Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged the EU to treat the energy crisis like the defence emergency \u2013 and for the bloc to relax fiscal rules considering increased energy costs.<\/p>\n<p>In a letter sent on Monday to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and seen by Euronews, Meloni said the EU should show the same \u201cpolitical courage\u201d on energy as it has on defence.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf we rightly consider defence to be such a strategic priority as to justify the activation of the National Escape Clause, then we must have the political courage to recognise that today energy security is also a European strategic priority,\u201d the letter reads.<\/p>\n<p>Dombrovskis said that the EU is \u201clooking at policy options\u201d in support of Rome \u2013 but that support must be \u201ctemporary and targeted\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe certainly are listening to the concerns of member states and looking at appropriate policy response,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Watch the full interview in the player above.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-partage-commentaire__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-partage-commentaire-share\"><span>Share<\/span><\/span><span>Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  &#8216;Turning crisis into opportunity&#8217;: How Lithuania became a wild card for the EU&#8217;s clean energy race<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  EU vows to stand firm on Russia as UK scrambles to explain sanctions decision<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Energy ministers confront Europe\u2019s dependence on China\u2019s power storage dominance<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  EU sanctions against Russia<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  European economy<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Energy<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2896068-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896068\" data-cid=\"9770283\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896068-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/02\/83\/320x180_cmsv2_113ac0ed-c9ba-5045-bbee-7b8dea69b4d4-9770283.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt='President Donald Trump looks toward Air Force One from his limousine known as \"The Beast,\" upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Friday, May 22, 2026.' height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US and Iran &#8216;getting a lot closer&#8217; to an agreement to end war, Trump s<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2896055-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896055\" data-cid=\"9770186\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896055-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/01\/86\/320x180_cmsv2_abcb2aed-1b2d-5d29-b68f-eef40c3b7e96-9770186.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy leaves a press conference at the German-Ukrainian government consultations in Berlin Germany, Tuesday, April 14, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Zelenskyy insists Ukraine deserves full EU membership<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2896022-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896022\" data-cid=\"9770079\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896022-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/00\/79\/320x180_cmsv2_b17a90d7-59ff-5528-993b-df477f25c5e0-9770079.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukrainian servicemen of Khartia brigade launch a drone towards Russian positions at the front line in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Wednesday, May 20, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russian energy sites hit in Ukrainian strikes, authorities say<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2896032-pos5-top-stories\" 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data-nid=\"2895921\" data-cid=\"9769751\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895921-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/97\/25\/320x180_cmsv2_881fd9da-87ed-5500-a6fd-70a0474c560f-9769725.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US F-35 taking off from an aircraft carrier, February 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    F-35 jets arrive in Poland to bolster NATO&#8217;s eastern flank<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2895697-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895697\" data-cid=\"9768778\" data-part-label=\"Partner 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class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896068-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896068\" data-cid=\"9770283\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896068-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/02\/83\/320x180_cmsv2_113ac0ed-c9ba-5045-bbee-7b8dea69b4d4-9770283.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt='President Donald Trump looks toward Air Force One from his limousine known as \"The Beast,\" upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Friday, May 22, 2026.' height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US and Iran &#8216;getting a lot closer&#8217; to an agreement to end war, Trump s<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896055-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896055\" data-cid=\"9770186\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896055-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/01\/86\/320x180_cmsv2_abcb2aed-1b2d-5d29-b68f-eef40c3b7e96-9770186.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy leaves a press conference at the German-Ukrainian government consultations in Berlin Germany, Tuesday, April 14, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Zelenskyy insists Ukraine deserves full EU membership<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896022-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896022\" data-cid=\"9770079\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896022-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/00\/79\/320x180_cmsv2_b17a90d7-59ff-5528-993b-df477f25c5e0-9770079.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Ukrainian servicemen of Khartia brigade launch a drone towards Russian positions at the front line in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine, Wednesday, May 20, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russian energy sites hit in Ukrainian strikes, authorities say<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2896032-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2896032\" data-cid=\"9770161\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2896032-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/77\/01\/02\/320x180_cmsv2_7b6a2aa5-4a38-5d81-95d6-c80bcd1b8a60-9770102.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Unusual find in Berlin: police secure several grenades dating back to the Second World War\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    1.5 tonnes of Soviet munitions found in Berlin forest<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895921-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895921\" data-cid=\"9769751\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2895921-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/97\/25\/320x180_cmsv2_881fd9da-87ed-5500-a6fd-70a0474c560f-9769725.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US F-35 taking off from an aircraft carrier, February 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    F-35 jets arrive in Poland to bolster NATO&#8217;s eastern flank<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895697-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895697\" data-cid=\"9768778\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iran asserts jurisdiction over UAE and Oman waters in new Hormuz map<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895535-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895535\" data-cid=\"9767618\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Hungary&#8217;s Magyar pushes back on pension and tax reforms at EU talks<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895964-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895964\" data-cid=\"9769882\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Xi Jinping urges &#8216;all-out rescue&#8217; after coal mine explosion kills 82<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895768-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895768\" data-cid=\"9768913\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Portugal flight disruption fears grow ahead of nationwide strike<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2895688-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2895688\" data-cid=\"9768737\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    The shocking case of the abandoned children: what we know<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">European Commissioner for the Economy Valdis Dombrovskis has said in exclusive comments to Euronews that the EU \u201cshould not\u201d look to cheap Russian fossil fuels and gas for relief as the energy crisis persists.\u201cIf anything, we need to strengthen sanctions against Russia, not ease, because actually Russia is a country benefiting from this conflict in the Middle East and those higher energy prices, getting substantial windfall profits, so we should not facilitate it further,\u201d Dombrovskis told Euronews\u2019 Europe Today programme.On Tuesday the UK government published an open-ended licence allowing the import of diesel and jet fuel made from Russian crude oil in other countries, such as Turkey and India, where the oil is purchased at discounted prices.A separate licence enables the provision of short-term service contracts with Russia&#8217;s Sakhalin-2 and Yamal LNG projects until January 2027.As Ukraine and its allies were left blindsided by the announcement \u2013 an unusual move from London as Prime Minister Keir Starmer has remained one of Ukraine\u2019s staunchest supporters \u2013 number 10 Downing Street downplayed the incident as poor communication.Asked whether the EU would walk back some of its sanctions targeting Russian oil and gas to support households faced with mammoth energy bills, Dombrovskis ruled out the possibility and said there is a \u201cstrategic decision\u201d to continue moving away from Moscow.\u201cWe already saw back in 2022 that Russia tried to use its fossil fuel supplies as a tool for blackmail and manipulation, and we paid a quite dear economic price for having this dependency from Russia, so therefore there&#8217;s no point of going back to this,\u201d he said.Europe\u2019s economy is projected to weaken this year as the war in Iran and ongoing tensions in the Middle East have sparked the second biggest energy crisis in the past five years following Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine.Dombrovskis said there was no risk of Europe being plunged into blackouts, a concern that had emerged during the 2022 energy crisis.EU lawmakers have pushed to formally ban all remaining Russian gas flows by 2027 and permanently phase out oil imports earlier than expected.The Rome conundrumOn Monday Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged the EU to treat the energy crisis like the defence emergency \u2013 and for the bloc to relax fiscal rules considering increased energy costs.In a letter sent on Monday to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and seen by Euronews, Meloni said the EU should show the same \u201cpolitical courage\u201d on energy as it has on defence.\u201cIf we rightly consider defence to be such a strategic priority as to justify the activation of the National Escape Clause, then we must have the political courage to recognise that today energy security is also a European strategic priority,\u201d the letter reads.Dombrovskis said that the EU is \u201clooking at policy options\u201d in support of Rome \u2013 but that support must be \u201ctemporary and targeted\u201d.\u201cWe certainly are listening to the concerns of member states and looking at appropriate policy response,\u201d he said.Watch the full interview in the player above.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/05\/22\/eu-economy-chief-certain-the-bloc-will-not-return-to-russian-gas-or-oil-as-energy-crisis-b&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/76\/81\/46\/1200x675_cmsv2_335a983a-ad0b-54fc-97d2-bde2c53d3e1e-9768146.jpg&#8221;] Iran US and Iran &#8216;getting a lot closer&#8217; to an agreement to end war, Trump s Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | May 23rd, 2026 \u2013 Evening Europe News Pope Leo XIV visits Italy&#8217;s &#8216;Land of Fires&#8217; Europe News Zelenskyy insists Ukraine deserves full EU membership Iran US and Iran 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