Returning to Russian fuel would be “strategic blunder” – von der Leyen

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, this was stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen while speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

“We are already seeing the impact of the situation in the Middle East on energy. Thanks to the actions we have taken in recent years, Europe is now far less exposed to fossil fuel imports. Our diversification efforts are paying off. But this does not mean that we are immune to price shocks,” she acknowledged.

Since energy markets are global, disruptions in the Gulf quickly affect prices everywhere, and spikes are already being observed, the European Commission President noted. She recalled that G7 energy ministers met yesterday ahead of a video call between leaders to address the issue.

“But no matter what we do in terms of measures, as long as we import a significant share of fossil fuels from unstable regions, we are vulnerable and dependent,” she said, stressing that such energy resources always come at a cost.

She noted that since the beginning of the conflict, gas prices have risen by 50%, while oil prices have increased by 27%. “If you translate that into euros – 10 days of war have already cost European taxpayers an additional EUR 3 billion in fossil fuels imports. That is the price of our dependency,” von der Leyen said.

She added that Europe has its own energy sources, namely renewable energy and nuclear power, whose prices have remained stable over the last 10 days.

“Yet in the current crisis, some argue that we should abandon our long-term strategy and even go back to Russian fossil fuels. This would be a strategic blunder. It would make us more dependent, more vulnerable and weaker,” von der Leyen said.

In this context, she called on Europe to stay the course on their long-term strategy. “While we can be more pragmatic and smarter in its implementation – but the direction of travel is the right one,” she said.

As reported by Ukrinform, Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris described Russia’s attempt to profit from the conflict in the Middle East as “disgusting,” noting that the European Union should use all economic leverage to pressure Russia to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine