The United States and the European Union pledged on Tuesday to “directly confront” any attempts to weaponize energy and destabilize global energy markets as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.

“The two sides reiterated their strong commitment to directly confront, with adequate measures, all efforts to further destabilize the global energy situation and to circumvent sanctions,” they said in a joint statement released after an EU-US Energy Council meeting in Brussels.

Western leaders have warned Russian President Vladimir Putin against weaponizing its energy exports since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year.

"Accelerating the energy transition, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and reducing energy consumption are key to strengthening energy security and countering attempts to weaponize energy," the joint statement stressed.The council also discussed ways to bolster energy security in Ukraine and Moldova.

“Following the successful synchronization of Ukraine and Moldova with the EU electricity grid, the Council intends to continue to support Ukraine's rapid recovery and reconstruction, and support both Ukraine and Moldova by assisting with their long-term economic and clean energy transition,” the statement said.

The US and the EU also vowed to continue coordinating bilateral and multilateral responses to keep the global energy markets stable.