EU Rules Out Return to Russian Energy Despite Rising Costs from Iran War
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The European Union will not reverse its ban on Russian fossil fuel imports or slow its transition toward renewable energy, even as the escalating war involving Iran drives up global energy prices, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said on Tuesday.
Speaking at POLITICO’s Competitive Europe Summit, Jørgensen said Europe must avoid any return to dependence on Russian energy, stressing: “There is no road back to dependency on Russian energy.” He added that the bloc should “not again ever import as much as one molecule,” underscoring a firm commitment to cutting ties with Russian fossil fuels.
Jørgensen argued that European countries had for too long indirectly financed Russia’s war in Ukraine through energy imports, accusing Moscow of weaponising supply chains. “Russia has blackmailed member states… They have weaponized energy against us,” he said.
His comments come as internal divisions persist within the EU over its long-term energy strategy. Some leaders have suggested reconsidering aspects of the bloc’s stance toward Moscow, warning that continued restrictions could strain energy affordability. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has called for a rollback of sanctions, while Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever has argued the EU should eventually seek renewed access to cheaper Russian energy.
Despite such calls, Jørgensen insisted the EU is now in a stronger position than during the 2022 energy crisis, when Russia supplied around 45% of the bloc’s gas. That figure has since fallen to roughly 10%, significantly reducing vulnerability to supply shocks.
While acknowledging political pressure over high energy costs, he maintained that support for renewables remains broadly solid across Europe. “There is not any real discussion in Europe on whether we need more renewables and to move away from this dependency,” he said, adding that short-term relief measures for households and industry may still be necessary.
The European Commission is expected to propose further measures later this year, including a potential ban on Russian oil imports, as part of its broader energy security strategy.
