Western nations have responded to the invasion of Ukraine by cutting back on imports of Russian oil, gas, and coal. However, the sanctions have caused energy prices to spike to record highs.

US President Joe Biden spoke about the challenge during an address on Earth Day on Friday. He said the situation is going to be hard for a while, getting through the rising cost of gasoline and other energy because of Putin and the war, but Americans are going to do it.

Biden said he wants to accelerate the transition to clean energy. However, activists have criticized him for expanding domestic oil production as a way of dealing with rising costs.

Demonstrators across Europe held Earth Day rallies to protest the imports of Russian energy. Some chanted "Cut Russian Gas! Cut Russian Gas!"

However, leaders are facing a challenge. Russian gas accounts for about 40 percent of the EU's supply. Some countries, like Germany, have been cautious about an embargo.

Leaders in the Netherlands are moving ahead. They want to cut off all Russian fossil fuels by the end of the year. They plan to do that by increasing imports from other countries and rolling out clean-energy alternatives.

Slovakia is enlarging its role as an exporter. Officials there say a domestic pipeline that is nearing completion could help supply liquid natural gas to neighboring Poland.