Changes in the energy supply strategy of the EU countries amid the full-scale Russian invasion

Abstract

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine could have a profound impact on short-term solutions to the energy crisis (due to the loss of long-term contracts for additional volumes of Russian gas). It could block a unified agenda because of diverging interests of European countries, reduce European negotiating power, and therefore, weaken Europe's resistance to Russian energy coercion in the long term. The article confirms the hypothesis that the European energy crisis leads to a slowdown in production and is caused primarily by smaller gas reserves, higher prices and tighter global supplies. Based on the study of a specially developed index and the results of assessing the state of energy independence of the European Union since the beginning of the 21st century made it possible to carry out the task of researching changes in the energy supply system of the EU countries against a background of the Russian war. The demonstration of a map of the most relevant ways of importing pipelines to the EU indicates the need to change the directions of diversification of the energy imports structure. The goal-setting of the directions of implementing the «Fit For 55» programme regarding the reduction of gas consumption by 2030 was studied and the strategy of reducing the dependence of the European Union on Russian gas was analysed.