https://arab.news/prqmw
Natural resources have long been central to global politics, including influencing geopolitical alliances. However, the competition for such resources is intensifying because of factors including climate change, the energy transition, and growing geoeconomic rivalry.
In recent years, Europe has perhaps been the continent most caught out by these trends. The Ukraine war triggered a severe energy shock which showcased the heavy overdependence of the continent on Russian resources. Subsequent actions by the EU have shown that there is a determination that this cannot be allowed to happen again.
In response, the EU has released an ambitious plan to try to end Russian LNG imports by the end of 2026 and pipeline gas no later than Nov. 1, 2027, with amendments to existing contracts strictly limited to operational matters. The European Commission will also table a legal proposal in early 2026 to ban Russian oil imports by the end of 2027.
The goal of eliminating dependence on Russian energy, in these ways, will rest heavily on Europe’s political will, and this is being fortified with several legislative proposals. The 27 EU member states are also now required to submit national Russian energy phase-out plans encompassing gas, oil, and nuclear.
