“It’s a political tool”
On September 9, the Czech Republic signaled its plan to remove from discussion the proposal to set a ceiling price on Russian gas. The announcement came from Josef Sikela, the country’s Minister of Industry and Trade.
“The Czech Republic wants to strip the issue of limiting Russian gas prices from EU discussions, viewing it as a political instrument rather than a viable solution to the energy crisis,” Sikela stated during a broadcast on Sikela Ct24 TV. He later shared the update with members of the Senate, the upper chamber of the Czech Parliament, via CTK news agency. The minister indicated a push for a decision that decouples gas and electricity costs across EU member states at the upcoming EU Energy Ministers Council meeting. He argued that such a separation could help ease electricity prices for consumers within the bloc.
In Brussels, Sikela planned to advocate for tax reliefs for energy producers and distribution firms across the EU. In response, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz noted that German authorities were already examining potential reductions in Russian gas supplies and relevant intervention measures as of December of the prior year.
“Even before the onset of the conflict, we prepared carefully so that we could take decisive steps later on, and those steps have largely been implemented,” Scholz commented. He added that intervention measures were discussed at a time when other nations did not yet consider such options. Scholz stressed that Germany should achieve full independence from Russian gas and do so promptly.
“Delirium and nonsense”
Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized attempts to cap energy costs in a speech at the Eastern Economic Forum, describing them as misguided and counterproductive. He argued that basing prices on administrative decisions would only spark further price increases on global markets and warned that no such measures could resolve economic or global trade issues. Putin suggested that the West has entangled itself in a sanctions stalemate and is not in a position to dictate terms to Moscow.
Putin asserted that Russia would fully honor its contractual obligations, while also noting that any attempts to impose terms unilaterally would be met with resistance. He urged those seeking to compel Russia to rethink their approach.
Ceiling price for energy sources from the Russian Federation
On September 2, the G7 committed to exploring a ceiling on Russian oil to curb Moscow’s revenue and curb its capacity to fund military operations in Ukraine, as well as to reduce the impact on global energy prices.
The group reaffirmed a bipartisan objective to ban services that enable the worldwide shipment of crude oil and petroleum products of Russian origin unless such shipments meet a price ceiling determined by a broad coalition of nations. They also welcomed similar requests from EU colleagues, hoping the broad coalition would extend to all countries still importing Russian oil and related products.
G7 representatives highlighted that such measures could particularly aid vulnerable nations and lower- to middle-income countries grappling with elevated energy and food costs aggravated by Russia’s aggression. A Politico European office report cited that the EU plans to cap the price of Russian gas at €50 per MWh, a figure well below current market levels. This development was reported to the European desk on September 6, underscoring the ongoing push to align policy across allies and trading partners.
In this evolving landscape, policymakers in North America and allied economies seek to balance energy security, consumer prices, and strategic autonomy. The dialogue reflects a broader regional emphasis on diversifying supply, stabilizing electricity costs for households, and ensuring resilience amid geopolitical tensions. The conversations also signal continued scrutiny of energy-market interventions and their broader macroeconomic consequences across the United States, Canada, and partner nations.