The European Union's energy dependence on Russia should have ended the moment the first tank rolled into Ukraine. Instead, we keep buying billions of euros’ worth of Russian natural gas, which helps pay for Vladimir Putin’s war.
It’s time for the EU to declare its energy independence by permanently strengthening its energy partnership with our strong ally — the United States.
The war in Ukraine has laid bare the price of complacency. For years, the EU bet on Russian energy as a cheap and stable supply source. In reality, it was a dependency trap that allowed the Kremlin to take advantage of us while raising money for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Despite strong sanctions, Russia still profits from European energy markets. It uses shadow fleets, intermediaries and legal loopholes to sustain its exports.
The EU has increased its imports of liquified natural gas (LNG) from elsewhere, but with only 10% of European gas demand met by domestic production, it’s simply not enough. In 2021, 41% of the EU’s gas imports came via pipeline from Russia. We have significantly reduced that number to roughly 8%, but we are still too reliant on authoritarian regimes such as Qatar and Algeria that do not share our democratic values.
Furthermore, our LNG infrastructure — expanded after the invasion specifically to diversify — has recently witnessed a sharp increase in Russian LNG imports, largely offsetting the pipeline cuts.
Energy security is national security, and we must stop supporting our adversaries. It makes no sense to finance Ukraine while importing Russian oil and gas. Equally, Europe cannot build a stable, secure and competitive economy while gambling on unreliable suppliers like Gazprom, which is owned by a hostile state.
The US is well placed to make up the shortfall. It has proven critical in the wake of Putin’s aggression. Nearly two-thirds of American LNG exports went to Europe in 2022, helping countries like Germany escape Russia’s grip.
Former President Joe Biden's administration paused LNG exports last year, sending mixed signals about America’s reliability as an energy partner. President Donald Trump has lifted the ban, showing his commitment to energy exports and giving us a golden opportunity to solidify our transatlantic energy ties.
With America’s new Calcasieu Pass LNG terminal set to begin operations in mid-April, its capacity to export gas to Europe will increase. This week, the Trump administration approved an export authorisation for a second facility, CP2, at the same site, pointing to longer-term growth.
These efforts align with the EU's energy security goals. The EU’s REPowerEU plan, aimed at cutting Russian gas imports by two-thirds and increasing investment in alternative sources, is an important step. While we are focusing on reducing demand, the US has been actively increasing its LNG export capacity and planning new terminals — a strategic move that underscores the need for a deeper partnership.
The EU must act decisively to secure long-term LNG contracts with the US. The economic and geopolitical interests of both parties are aligned and America has the resources to meet the EU’s demand. A stable and predictable transatlantic energy alliance will prepare us for future crises and ensure that no country, Russia or otherwise, can hold our economies hostage again.
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