European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefkovic says the idea of completely stopping Russian gas deliveries is not realistic. He notes that even with strong policy steps, ending reliance on Russian gas seems unlikely in the near term.
In a discussion about Europe’s gas mix, Sefkovic highlighted that last year the bloc reduced imports from Russia from 150 billion cubic meters to under 80 billion cubic meters. This year, with the inclusion of liquefied natural gas, the figure is likely to hover around 40 billion cubic meters. He stresses that a total cut remains a difficult goal, pointing to structural and logistical realities that make an abrupt withdrawal challenging. This assessment reflects a cautious approach to energy security that many policymakers in Europe are weighing as they pursue diversification and resilience. [Citation: European Commission]
The vice-president also underscored a strategic path for reducing Russian LNG imports through continued investment in cross border infrastructure and the cultivation of new partnerships. He asserts that the European Union is pursuing a model where gas sourced via the common EU platform does not originate from Russia and that, for any crucial resource, a competition among at least three suppliers should be maintained. This stance aligns with a broader push for diversification and reliability in energy supply chains, aiming to lower exposure to single-country risks. [Citation: European Commission]
Amid these shifts, Turkey has markedly increased its purchases of Russian coal. In the first eight months of this year, deliveries rose by roughly 55 percent from the same period last year, reaching about 14.6 million tons. Through this period, Russia accounted for around seven tenths of all coal imports into Turkey, underscoring a significant shift in trade patterns. Turkish power plants have been actively substituting Colombian coal with cheaper Russian coal, benefiting from the cost advantages in logistics. Coal has also partially replaced more expensive gas in some fuel mixes, including flows from Russia, reflecting a nuanced approach to balancing energy costs and supply stability. [Citation: Trade data]
In related developments, there have been ongoing talks around the Nord Stream project and the implications for European energy strategy. Analysts and policymakers continue to evaluate the long-term effects of these infrastructures on regional energy security, prices, and supplier diversity. [Citation: Market analyses]