European energy dependence is powered by a Russian bear that is still furious

Europe needs energy. And although it is strongly striving to find alternative resources, it still satisfies some of these key needs with imports from Russia. German Bid is reported that the European Union in the current year for Russian energy and raw materials is expected spent stunning € 20 billion. This amount, as he points out Bidironically exceeds the military aid that Europe has intended for its siege to Ukraine. While European leaders are publicly obliged to support Kiev, numbers indicate a complex reality where economic ties with Russia remain.

According to the same source, Russia is expected to bring as much as 233 billion euros to its cash register this year, according to the same source, which is abundantly funded by the war against Ukraine. Although China, India and Turkey are the largest buyers of Russian energy and raw materials, the European Union remains an important client. The fact that in February this year alone bought the EU from Russia for more than 2 billion euros of gas, oil and uranium, it testifies to the fact that even 17 EU sanction packages so far has not fully committed to the Kremlin. Since there are no major restrictions for the delivery of key partners such as China, India and Turkey, Russia still has significant resources to continue their military operations.

Although the EU has set itself aim of free from Russian import dependence by 2030, according to data Euronews He is still importing almost a fifth of his energy from Russia. Prior to the extensive invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, this proportion amounted to much more, 45 percent. The fact that trade ties are not completely broken is also indicated by the case of Lithuania, which has managed to abandon Russian gas, but continues to import Russian ammonia; Between 2020 and 2025 it was almost all imported ammonia in Lithuania of Russian origin. The EU website states that the Union has earmarked over $ 158 billion in various forms of assistance since the beginning of the war.

Sanctions under scrutiny, the US is thinking about tightening

According to analysts, the stamps of sanctions so far have been affecting Russian fiscal stability and restricting its economic growth, but the wars in Ukraine have not stopped so far. In the United States Meanwhile, President Donald Trumpwho has criticized the European Union in the past because of extensive payments to Russia for energy, is again considering tightening measures. The recent extensive Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin did not fulfill the promise of the intervention of « Memorandum of Peace », which he promised in a telephone conversation with Trump, were to contribute to this. US President is Putin as reported Cnnaccused of « completely crazy » and « playing with fire. »

Russian President Vladimir Putin did not fulfill the promise of the « Memorandum of Peace », which he was supposed to have given in a telephone conversation with Donald Trump. Photo: Alexander Kazak/AFP

In the US Congress, there is pressure to take more decisive action against Russia. Senator Richard Blumenthal and Lindsey Gross They drafted a bill that provides for the introduction of new, « paralyzing » measures, including the possibility of secondary sanctions, such as high customs for countries that continue to buy Russian energy. Also some European leaders, including the French President Emmanuel Macronthey express hope that the US will take a more decisive approach. Ukrainian President Volodimir Green Meanwhile, Putin accuses himself « simply playing with diplomacy and diplomats. » Europe thus remains ahead of the difficult dilemma of how to reconcile its own energy needs with the necessity of pressure on Russia to end the war.

Ukraine is strengthening

Ukrainian President Zelenski announced on Tuesday night a decisive strengthening of the domestic arms industry, the day before the expected visit to Berlin. He is supposed to meet a German chancellor today Friedrichom Merzem, who also announced a significant shift on Tuesday: the elimination of German restrictions on weapons delivery of long reaches to Ukraine, especially regarding the range itself.

Ukrainian President Zelenski announces a decisive strengthening of the domestic arms industry so that « Russia felt the consequences of its actions » photo: AFP

Green stressed that Ukraine strives to produce everything necessary for its defense, from drones to maneuvering missiles and ballistic systems, since « Russia must feel the consequences of its actions in Ukraine. » He also announced the preparation of investment agreements with European partners to move work of military production, with an emphasis on drones and weapons of long reach, on the Ukrainian soil, although the latter Kiev is still far behind Moscow capabilities.

Merz’s announcement of the supply of weapons of long reach has triggered a lot of discussions in Germany, as the state has so far been retained in this kind of assistance. Portal Politics It reports that some members of the Chancellor Party have criticized his « conflicting statements » on the subject.

Merz has announced a significant shift in politics by eliminating restrictions on weapons of long reaching to Ukraine. Photo: Ints Kalnins/Reuters

Although a visit to the Green in Berlin, where in addition to weapons, the word for peace negotiations is expected to run, it has not yet been confirmed, Berlin police have already announced tight security measures for today, the German news agency reports Dpa. Merz’s statement could thus place particular emphasis on conversations.