EU admits its members continue to depend on Russian gas
European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson acknowledges that the EU remains significantly dependent on Russian gas. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Moscow is responsible for 18% of the bloc’s imports, as indicated by a recent European Commission report.
Despite a significant decrease in gas imports from Russia, EU member states continue to be largely dependent on the country's supply, acknowledged European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson during a press conference on Wednesday.
As of June 2024, Russian gas represented 18% of the EU’s imports, a decrease from 45% three years prior, according to the latest findings from the European Commission. The report also highlighted that imports from Norway and the United States have seen an increase.
“I know the numbers are still impressive, although they have fallen from 45% in 2021,” Simson stated while speaking to journalists in Brussels, as quoted by TASS.
Simson also noted that EU member states are well-equipped for a potential complete cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine when the current agreement expires at the end of 2024.
The five-year deal, facilitated by the EU, involves Russian energy company Gazprom transiting 65 billion cubic meters of gas through Ukraine in 2020, followed by 40 bcm per year from 2021 to 2024. Earlier this year, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky indicated that Ukraine would not renew the gas transit agreement after its expiration on December 31.
“Referring to the lessons we’ve learned and considering the strengthened security of supply system, the EU is well prepared for next winter and the end of the gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine,” Simson emphasized, noting that the bloc “is ready to live” without this agreement, thanks to alternative routes and supply sources.
While EU companies can still legally purchase Russian gas until sanctions prohibit it, Simson pointed out that Brussels must maintain its sanctions policy against Moscow to support Ukraine.
Despite Ukraine-related sanctions imposed by the EU, which have not specifically targeted pipeline gas supplies, several member states—such as Poland, Bulgaria, Finland, the Netherlands, and Denmark—have chosen to stop their imports voluntarily. In contrast, some EU countries, including Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Italy, continue to import Russian pipeline gas.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
Despite a significant decrease in gas imports from Russia, EU member states continue to be largely dependent on the country's supply, acknowledged European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson during a press conference on Wednesday.
As of June 2024, Russian gas represented 18% of the EU’s imports, a decrease from 45% three years prior, according to the latest findings from the European Commission. The report also highlighted that imports from Norway and the United States have seen an increase.
“I know the numbers are still impressive, although they have fallen from 45% in 2021,” Simson stated while speaking to journalists in Brussels, as quoted by TASS.
Simson also noted that EU member states are well-equipped for a potential complete cessation of Russian gas transit through Ukraine when the current agreement expires at the end of 2024.
The five-year deal, facilitated by the EU, involves Russian energy company Gazprom transiting 65 billion cubic meters of gas through Ukraine in 2020, followed by 40 bcm per year from 2021 to 2024. Earlier this year, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky indicated that Ukraine would not renew the gas transit agreement after its expiration on December 31.
“Referring to the lessons we’ve learned and considering the strengthened security of supply system, the EU is well prepared for next winter and the end of the gas transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine,” Simson emphasized, noting that the bloc “is ready to live” without this agreement, thanks to alternative routes and supply sources.
While EU companies can still legally purchase Russian gas until sanctions prohibit it, Simson pointed out that Brussels must maintain its sanctions policy against Moscow to support Ukraine.
Despite Ukraine-related sanctions imposed by the EU, which have not specifically targeted pipeline gas supplies, several member states—such as Poland, Bulgaria, Finland, the Netherlands, and Denmark—have chosen to stop their imports voluntarily. In contrast, some EU countries, including Austria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Italy, continue to import Russian pipeline gas.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
