EU's Dependence on Fossil Fuels Threatens Sovereignty and Security

The European Union has made significant progress in reducing its dependence on Russian fossil fuels since the invasion of Ukraine, but it still relies heavily on imports from authoritarian regimes and an increasingly unfriendly US.

In 2022, Russia supplied over 40% of the EU's fossil gas, funding Vladimir Putin's regime and war efforts. However, thanks to a concerted effort to import gas from other countries, Russian imports fell to around 11% in 2024, with Norway accounting for about a third of the mix.

The EU remains the world's largest importer of liquid natural gas (LNG), relying on it heavily despite the risks. More than 30% of households still use gas for heating, and it is extensively used in industry and electricity generation.