AFP
US President Joe Biden (right) greets Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander de Croo as he arrives at Brussels Airport on March 23 on the eve of a NATO summit.
US President Joe Biden landed in Brussels on Wednesday in the middle of a dispute with European allies over whether to impose further energy sanctions on Russia.
Russia supplies about 40 percent of the natural gas Europe uses, making it difficult for several European nations to ban Russian energy imports as the United States has.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia will seek payment in roubles for gas sales to "unfriendly" countries, a move that sent European gas prices soaring on concerns it would exacerbate the region's energy crunch.
Moscow's list of unfriendly countries corresponds to those that imposed sanctions and include the United States, European Union members, Britain and Japan, among others.
Reducing Europe's reliance on Russian energy has been a "substantial" topic and the subject of "intense back and forth" in recent days, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on an Air Force One flight to Brussels.
Sullivan said Biden would have some news to announce on the topic on Friday with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday.
On Thursday, Biden will attend an emergency NATO summit, meet with G7 leaders and address the 27 leaders of the European Union at a session of the European Council.
Biden will later visit Warsaw for consultations with Polish President Andrzej Duda.
Sullivan said G7 leaders will also agree on Thursday to coordinate on sanctions enforcement and plan to issue a statement.
A French presidency official noted that the European Union collectively trades more with Russia than the United States does and is more sensitive to sanctions against Russia.
"Americans have sanctioned Russian gas and oil, which is easier for them since they are producers. We will see what President Biden proposes tomorrow as extra effort," the official told Reuters.
Sullivan said Biden will announce a US package of Russia-related sanctions on political figures and oligarchs on Thursday.
Sources say some of the sanctions are expected to be targeted against members of the Russian lower house of parliament, the Duma.
During his visit to Poland, a NATO member, Biden will visit US troops and meet with experts involved in the humanitarian response to helping hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who have fled their country and those who remain.