Russia's Permanent Representative to the G20, Marat Berdyev, criticized US energy policy, stating Washington seeks energy dominance rather than abundance for all. He vowed resistance to these "new colonial ambitions" during the US's 2026 G20 presidency, particularly in light of global energy market disruptions.
President Trump’s second term is defined by an energy-first economic doctrine. By leveraging domestic production, sanctions on rivals, and geopolitical crises, the administration has positioned the US as the world's dominant energy supplier to exert global influence.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the United States of openly pursuing oil and energy dominance in its foreign policy, claiming Washington’s military actions in Iran and Venezuela are driven by resource interests. In an interview with Russian state television, Lavrov said the US "cares only about its own well-being" and is prepared to defend it by "any means – coups, kidnappings or assassinations of leaders of countries that possess natural resources". He stated that Washington no longer hides its motivations, pointing to what he called a "doctrine of dominance in global energy markets".
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the United States of abandoning internationally recognised diplomatic conventions in pursuit of its own interests, particularly in dominating global energy markets. In an interview with Russian state television, Lavrov claimed Washington was taking the world 'back to a world where nothing existed' in international law, citing Venezuela and Iran as examples where US actions were driven by oil interests.
Analysis examining US oil import statistics reveals the country remains a net importer of 2.2 million barrels per day in 2025, despite record production of 13.6 million bpd. US refineries were built for heavier sour crude from the Persian Gulf, not light shale oil, creating a chemistry mismatch. Persian Gulf imports (~490,000 bpd, 8% of imports) provide the medium sour feedstock essential for optimal refinery yields. The author argues US military actions against Iran have triggered price shocks pushing American petrol above $4/gallon.
