US-EU trade deal labeled ’anti-Russian’ by former President Medvedev

Investing.com -- Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev criticized a new trade agreement between the European Union and the United States on Monday, calling it "anti-Russian" and comparing it to a ban on Russian oil and gas purchases.

The framework trade agreement, reached on Sunday, imposes a 15% import tariff on most EU goods entering the US market.

Russia has consistently maintained that US liquefied natural gas (LNG) is substantially more expensive than Russian LNG. The EU has been working to reduce its dependence on Russian energy while implementing extensive sanctions against Moscow over the Ukraine war.

Medvedev claimed that while Trump had "wiped the floor" with the EU in negotiations, the agreement was also detrimental to Russian interests.

"Of course, the ’deal’ is clearly anti-Russian in nature, prohibiting the purchase of our oil and gas," Medvedev wrote on Telegram.

The former Russian president predicted negative consequences for European consumers, who he said would face higher energy costs as a result of the agreement.

"One can only feel sorry for ordinary Europeans," Medvedev added.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen openly stated that the deal would help the bloc move away from Russian fossil fuels by increasing purchases of American energy alternatives.

"Purchases of U.S. energy products will diversify our sources of supply and contribute to Europe’s energy security. We will replace Russian gas and oil with significant purchases of U.S. LNG, oil and nuclear fuels," von der Leyen said.

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