According to data from the European Commission and the International Energy Agency (IEA), Europe has significantly reduced its dependence on Russian energy since the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022. Russian gas imports fell from around 40% of EU gas imports in 2021 to less than 10% by early 2026, replaced largely by liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States and Qatar.
Russia remains a major global oil exporter, but EU sanctions and price caps have reduced its revenue. The EU imported about 85% of its gas from Russia before 2022, but this figure has dropped sharply. The claim that Europe is 'economically dependent' on Russia is outdated; the EU now relies more on US energy and other sources.
However, Europe still faces challenges in energy security and diversification. The transition away from Russian hydrocarbons has been costly, contributing to higher energy prices and inflation. The US has become a key supplier, but this has also created new dependencies.
