Europe will never return to its dependency on Russian oil and gas, as stated by Stefan Rouenhoff, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, during a conference in Berlin, according to Ukrinform. According to Rouenhoff, the war against Ukraine destroyed previous assumptions about energy stability and exposed what he called “dangerous illusions.”
In 2022, Europe found itself on the brink of an energy catastrophe, with over half of its gas imports originating from Russia. Furthermore, the Russian state-owned giant Gazprom held control over essential gas storage facilities within Germany. Rouenhoff emphasized that those conditions are “in the past and will not return,” adding that Europe has no intention of restoring energy ties with Russia in the future.
Germany has since completely overhauled its energy policy. By rapidly developing LNG infrastructure and pivoting to new partners, Berlin has stabilized its supply chain. Today, Norway has emerged as the primary provider of natural gas, while the United States has become the key supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Beyond supply diversification, energy security has been integrated into Germany’s broader national security framework. A new National Security Council now oversees the protection of critical infrastructure, including increased naval patrols to prevent sabotage and monitor Russia’s “shadow fleet.” This strategic pivot marks a definitive end to the era where energy was used as a geopolitical weapon against the European Union.
The commitment to energy independence remains a cornerstone of the broader European strategy to fully phase out Russian energy imports by 2028. By taking these decisive steps, Germany and its allies are not only ensuring their own stability but also stripping Moscow of its primary economic leverage. The transition from Russian dependence toward a diversified, secure energy landscape serves as a testament to European resilience in the face of ongoing aggression.