U.S. working to cut NATO Europe's reliance on Russian oil and gas


The Biden administration announced Tuesday that it is working with international partners to ensure NATO allies in Europe would not be crippled if Russia cut off natural gas shipments, The New York Times reported.
According to the Times, the U.S. is working with "gas and crude oil suppliers from the Middle East, North Africa, and Asia," but the unnamed administration official who shared this information was unable to provide the names of specific countries.
The European Union, which consists mostly of NATO member states, gets about one-third of its natural gas and crude oil imports from Russia.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In 2019, petroleum products and natural gas combined accounted for over 58 percent of the EU's energy use, according to EU data.
Fossil fuels account for over half of Russian exports, and four of the five largest importers of Russian exports are NATO members.
A shutoff would also harm Russia. According to a Russian study cited by one oil industry publication, oil and gas made up 15 percent of the Russian economy in 2020.
The administration official said any Russian attempt to withhold energy from Europe "wouldn't be without consequences to the Russian economy" because Russia "needs oil and gas revenues at least as much as Europe needs its energy supply."
With U.S. help to — as the unnamed official put it — "ensure alternative supplies covering a significant majority of the potential shortfall," European NATO members could be confident that they would emerge victorious from an energy standoff with Russia.
That confidence, the Biden administration hopes, will embolden those allies to impose and stick to tough sanctions against Russia in the event of an invasion of Ukraine.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Modern Age, The American Conservative, The Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 5, 2025
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - paper records, Democratic Party resistance, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 costly cartoons about Liberation Day tariffs
Cartoons Artists take on the auto industry, 401(k) plans, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Whipped ricotta and asparagus bruschetta recipe
The Week Recommends This creamy irresistible dish is springtime on toast
By The Week UK Published
-
South Korea court removes impeached president
Speed Read The Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol after his declaration of martial law in December
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Myanmar quake deaths rise as survivor search intensifies
speed read The magnitude-7.7 earthquake in central Myanmar has killed a documented 2,000 people so far, and left scores more trapped beneath rubble
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson Published
-
Israel detains director after West Bank settler clash
speed read The director of Oscar-winning documentary 'No Other Land' was arrested and beaten
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The fight for control of Ukraine's nuclear reactors
The Explainer How serious is Donald Trump about US ownership of Kyiv's nuclear power plants?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Turkey arrests Istanbul mayor, a top Erdogan rival
Speed Read Protests erupted in Turkey after authorities detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel strikes Gaza, breaking ceasefire
Speed Read 326 Palestinians were killed in the first major attack since Netanyahu's government signed a ceasefire agreement with Hamas
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published