Belgian PM urges EU to ‘normalise relations with Russia’ to regain cheaper energy

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has called on the European Union to “normalise relations with Russia” to regain access to cheaper energy, arguing the bloc should seek an end to the war in Ukraine in Europe’s interest.

Speaking to the Belgian newspaper L’Echo, De Wever said “We must normalise relations with Russia and regain access to cheap energy. That is common sense.”

“In private, European leaders agree with me, but no one dares to say it out loud. We must end the conflict in the interest of Europe, without being naïve towards Putin,” De Wever said.

Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, the European Union has imposed sanctions on Moscow and provided extensive financial and military support to Kyiv, including efforts to end imports of Russian oil and gas. Rising energy prices linked to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran have renewed debate in Europe over supply security and costs for households and businesses.

De Wever argued that sustaining military support for Ukraine while weakening Russia’s economy is difficult without stronger backing from the United States. “Given that we are unable to pressure Putin by sending weapons to Ukraine, and cannot suffocate his economy without US support, only one method remains: making a deal,” he said.

Belgium’s foreign minister Maxime Prévot criticised the remarks, saying “Should we engage in dialogue with Russia? Yes. That is what diplomacy is: talking, including to those with whom you disagree,” Prévot said in a statement. “But dialogue is not the same as normalisation. And that is a crucial distinction.”

Prévot added: “Today, Russia refuses a European presence at the table. It maintains maximalist demands. As long as that is the case, talking about normalisation sends a signal of weakness and undermines the European unity we need now more than ever.”

Dan Jørgensen, the EU’s energy commissioner, said the bloc had already decided to end Russian energy imports. “In the future we will not import as much as one molecule from Russia,” he said.

ℹ️ Financial Times