Summary
The European Union (EU) is still importing significant amounts of oil and gas from Russia, despite efforts to reduce reliance including potential tariffs on imports. The EU sourced more than 45% of its gas and 27% of its oil from Russia before the Ukraine conflict; these numbers have decreased to 19% for gas and 3% for oil by 2024. Some countries like Hungary and Slovakia remain dependent due to a lack of alternative supply routes.
Key Facts
- The EU spent 1.15 billion euros on Russian fossil fuels in August.
- Hungary and Slovakia are top importers of Russian energy due to dependence on the Druzhba pipeline.
- The EU's total gas imports from Russia fell from over 45% in 2021 to 19% by 2024.
- Oil imports from Russia decreased from 27% in 2021 to 3% by 2024.
- The Druzhba pipeline is one of the world's longest, transporting oil from Russia to Hungary and Slovakia.
- EU countries have offset some of the shortfall by increasing gas imports from the US, Norway, and other partners.
- The EU reduced imports of nickel, iron, and steel from Russia.
- Fertilizer imports from Russia have risen by nearly 20% since 2021.
