Europe – Amid official European statements affirming a reduction in dependence on Russian gas, recent data indicates that some European countries are clandestinely resuming imports of Russian gas to meet their needs during the winter. This comes against a backdrop of rising energy prices and a lack of available alternatives, effectively forcing governments to resort to the Russian supplier despite the imposed sanctions.
Energy experts confirm that the share of Russian gas in EU imports remains significant despite sanctions. This share has fluctuated between 13% and 19% this year. While lower than in previous years, it is not zero. This practical return of Russian gas reflects the EU’s need to secure sufficient reserves to cope with severe cold spells and protect citizens from power outages.
Meanwhile, the European Union continues to impose new sanctions on Russia in response to the Ukrainian crisis. This reflects the discrepancy between political stances and the economic realities on the ground.
These developments demonstrate that winter pressures and a tight energy market are forcing EU countries to seek compromises. This makes Russian gas a difficult option to do without, despite official sanctions.
