Russia and Europe: Mutual Dependence in the Energy Sector

Sustained economic growth in the EU requires a continuous and growing energy supply. However, this geopolitical zone does not have its own supplies. Russia is one of the EU’s main energy suppliers, covering a considerable part of its imports. For this reason, there is increasing debate regarding the EU’s energy vulnerability vis-à-vis Russia.

There are various aspects of this dependence: Russian production and the export of both gas and oil to the EU, as well as the possible creation of a gas cartel; deal with the issues involving third countries through which gas and oil pass on their way from Russia to the EU.

The EU –and Europe in general– now finds itself in a period of sustained economic growth, which has to be fed by a continuous energy supply. However, Europe’s energy sources are now insufficient, putting it in a position of energy dependence which often leads to vulnerability in this respect.[1] The Soviet Union used to be one of Europe’s traditional energy suppliers and this role has been inherited and even enhanced by Russia.