EU's Gas Imports from Russia Increased in 2024

In a surprising turn of events, the European Union saw an 18% rise in gas imports from Russia in 2024 compared to the previous year, despite the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This data, compiled by the think tank Ember, includes both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) imported into the EU.

Following the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces in February 2022, the EU had imposed a series of sanctions targeting Russian energy sources, including coal and oil. The bloc aims to cease all gas imports from Russia by 2027, although this goal lacks a legal framework.

Since the beginning of 2024, Ukraine has halted the transit of Russian gas through its pipelines, further complicating the supply chain. Ember's report highlights that countries such as Italy, the Czech Republic, and France have significantly increased their imports from Russia. The think tank anticipates that this trend will continue into 2025, despite a lack of growth in demand across the EU.

Moreover, gas prices in the EU surged nearly 60% in 2024, raising concerns among analysts and policymakers. Ember's representative criticized the EU's continued reliance on Russian gas imports, suggesting that member states are misallocating resources by investing in costly LNG infrastructure rather than pursuing more sustainable energy solutions.

Efforts are underway within the European Commission to establish a roadmap for reducing dependency on Russian fossil fuels, with an emphasis on transitioning to renewable energy sources. EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen has recently reiterated the bloc's commitment to achieving energy independence from Russia.

In a statement to the media, Jørgensen condemned the ongoing purchase of fossil fuels from Russia, highlighting the financial implications of such actions. Since the onset of the war, the EU has spent a staggering amount on Russian fossil fuels, equating to the cost of approximately 2,400 F-35 fighter jets.

While LNG from Russia continues to flow into Europe, the EU has prohibited investments in new Russian LNG projects and has restricted ports within the EU from facilitating the shipment of Russian LNG to third-party nations. This regulatory approach aims to limit the financial support flowing to Russia amidst the ongoing conflict.

Yet, Ember warns that completely eliminating Russian gas from the EU's energy mix could jeopardize supply security, as other external sources are becoming increasingly unreliable. The think tank also noted that geopolitical tensions, particularly with the United States, could heighten the risks associated with relying solely on American LNG supplies.

At present, Norway and the United States are the primary gas suppliers to the EU. As demand for gas is expected to persist in the coming years, the European Commission plans to strengthen its energy relationships with the U.S. and explore diversification strategies, despite the challenges posed by current diplomatic relations.