EU increasingly dependent on Russia for energy

(Baonghean.vn)-Russia's gas market share in the European market is gradually increasing and accounts for nearly one-third of Europe's gas consumption.

The record increase comes despite tensions with the European Union (EU) and the bloc's desire to wean itself off its dependence on Russian gas.

The above reality shows that there is a big contradiction between energy policy and political statements of European leaders. The EU has repeatedly declared that it wants to reduce the amount of gas imported from Russia, but in reality, this import volume is always increasing.

Russia has satisfied three indispensable conditions in the energy sector: control over all oil reserves and production nationwide; control over all oil pipeline systems nationwide and to neighboring countries; and establishment of long-term and secure contracts for oil supply to EU countries.

With a pipeline system of about 150,000 km, Russia is considered to have the longest pipeline system in the world today. It can be said that Russia controls almost all of the world's oil and gas pipeline systems and is widely distributed throughout Europe.

The most important are the Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 systems. They are so important that Mr. Putin compared that "the amount of gas transported through this pipeline is equivalent to the energy of 11 nuclear power plants".

Nord Stream 2 route. Photo: Internet.

These two streams will give Russia a huge advantage in the energy war. It will also symbolize Russia's return to the European political chessboard, changing Russia's position in relations with Europe.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has stated that “by 2035, Russia will be the largest gas producer and the main source of increased world gas supply,” calling Russia “the cornerstone of the world energy system in the coming decades.”

Currently, Russia's Gazprom has more than three-fifths of the EU's energy market. Geographically, Russia is also the closest to the EU among all energy suppliers. The EU's complete dependence on Russia as a supplier is inevitable in the near future.

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(According to Gazprom)