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European Union

European Union's Reluctance to Sever Energy Ties with Russia Despite Sharp Reduction in Dependence

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Despite a significant reduction in its dependence on Russian energy, the European Union continues to import some supplies, including liquefied natural gas and pipeline gas, which account for around 8 percent of imports in the second quarter of 2025. President Trump has criticized the EU for keeping the Russian war effort alive by purchasing Russian oil and natural gas, urging them to cease all energy purchases from Russia immediately. However, the EU's energy dependence on Russia is complex, with some member states, such as Slovakia and Hungary, reliant on Russian crude oil due to their refineries being geared to process Russian crude.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Union has sharply reduced its overall energy dependency on Russia but continues to import some supplies, including liquefied natural gas and pipeline gas.
  • Russia rivals Qatar as one of the largest exporters of liquefied natural gas to the European Union after the United States.
  • The EU plans to phase out liquefied natural gas shipments from Russia by 2027, but Russia continues to export a modest amount of pipeline gas to the 27-member trade bloc, accounting for around 8 percent of imports in the second quarter of 2025.
  • Slovakia and Hungary receive around 100,000 barrels a day of Russian crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline, which is crucial for their refineries that are geared to process Russian crude.
  • The alternative import routes for these countries, such as buying imports by sea, would be more expensive than Russian crude, which is sold at a discount.

Statistics:

  • The European Union's energy dependence on Russia was reduced, but it still imports some supplies.
  • Russia is one of the largest exporters of liquefied natural gas to the European Union, rivaling Qatar after the United States.
  • Liquefied natural gas shipments from Russia are on track to be phased out by 2027.
  • Russia's exports of pipeline gas to the EU accounted for around 8 percent of imports in the second quarter of 2025.
  • Slovakia and Hungary receive around 100,000 barrels a day of Russian crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline.
  • Russian crude oil is sold at a discount compared to alternative import options.

Sources:

  • "President Trump railed against the European Union for keeping the Russian war effort alive by purchasing Russia’s oil and natural gas." - New York Times [1]
  • "Russia rivals Qatar as one of the largest exporters of liquefied natural gas to the European Union after the United States." - Eurostat [2]
  • "EU plans to phase out liquefied natural gas shipments from Russia by 2027." - Reuters [3]
  • "Slovakia and Hungary receive around 100,000 barrels a day of Russian crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline." - Kpler [4]
  • "Russia's exports of pipeline gas to the EU accounted for around 8 percent of imports in the second quarter of 2025." - Eurostat [2]

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