EU Pushes ASEAN to Seek Alternatives to Russian Oil

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, speaks during the official signing event of the EU-Ghana Security and Defense Partnership in Accra, Ghana March 24, 2026 REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, April 28 — The European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas urged Southeast Asian countries on Tuesday to avoid turning to Russian oil as they respond to fuel shortages triggered by the Middle East conflict.

Speaking after meetings with ASEAN foreign ministers in Brunei, Kallas said countries facing energy pressures should consider the broader implications of buying Russian oil, warning it could help fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

“You have an energy crisis, and you need supplies. But you also have to see the big picture,” she told Reuters, adding that purchases of Russian oil could enable Russia to sustain its military campaign.

Her comments come as disruptions linked to the conflict in the Middle East, including the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, have strained global energy markets. The waterway is a key route for around one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments.

The EU recently approved a new round of sanctions on Russia, tightening restrictions on oil trade in an effort to curb revenues supporting the war in Ukraine.

Kallas said the bloc is seeking cooperation from ASEAN on implementing sanctions, stressing that the measures are aimed at reducing Russian oil income rather than targeting Southeast Asian countries.

Several ASEAN nations, including Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, have recently explored increased imports of Russian oil to offset supply disruptions.

Kallas also raised questions about U.S. policy toward Russia, noting recent geopolitical developments and calling for renewed focus on efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

The remarks highlight growing global tensions as energy security concerns intersect with geopolitical rivalries and ongoing conflicts.