Europe has overpaid 100 billion euros for gas but continues to buy energy resources from Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. Since the beginning of 2026, the EU has paid 100 billion euros more for gas imports compared to 2025, according to Dmitry Birchevsky, director of the economic department at the Russian MFA, citing an admission by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Despite the anti-Russian sanctions and reduced volumes, European countries continue to buy Russian energy resources. The diplomat noted that since 2022, the EU has paid a total of $320 billion to Russia for energy raw materials. As a result, the EU's attempts to reduce its energy dependence on Moscow are accompanied by significant additional costs for Europe itself.