As Southeast Asian governments scramble to respond to the unprecedented energy crisis , the EU is turning up the pressure to keep them from buying Russian energy .

Despite years of Western sanctions , Russia remains one of the top energy suppliers on the global stage. It is the world's second-biggest oil exporter, behind Saudi Arabia, and the second-biggest gas exporter, trailing only the US.

Crucially, Russia's geography allows it to export its energy without passing through the Strait of Hormuz , which has been disrupted by the US-Israel war against Iran .

Last week, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned Southeast Asian countries not to turn to Russian oil.…