On October 12, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump made a statement justifying his deal with Russia, noting that the European Union also purchases Russian energy resources for substantial amounts. According to him, the EU spent $250 billion on energy resources, yet "fake news" outlets fail to cover this information.
Trump's Justification
In his statement, Trump emphasized that his actions were in the best interest of the American people. He stated, "I made the right choice for the American people — always America first!" These words formed the basis of his arguments in defense of the deal with Putin.
Criticism and Reaction
Trump also accused "fake news" media of criticizing him for the deal with Russia while ignoring the fact that the EU continues to buy Russian energy resources. The U.S. Secretary of the Treasury had previously expressed concerns about the hypocrisy of Europeans who criticize deals with Russia but continue to engage in them.
Facts on EU Purchases
According to data provided by Euronews, in the first nine months of 2026, the EU purchased liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia amounting to €7.88 billion, marking a record volume. This underscores the ongoing dependence of European countries on Russian energy resources despite political criticism.