The ongoing reliance of several European nations on Russian nuclear energy persists despite broad international sanctions. This dependence weakens the EU’s stated objective to strengthen energy security amid the current energy crisis, a finding highlighted by Energy Monitor based on research from the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs.
According to the European Commission, the strategy to phase out Russian fossil fuels remains in place through 2030. Its core aims include preserving a stable energy supply for Europe while accelerating the shift toward renewable energy sources. The analysis notes that countries such as Hungary and Bulgaria rank among those with notable exposure to Russian nuclear power within the EU, underscoring the uneven progress of diversification across the bloc.
A UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine garnered broad support, but the landscape of nuclear energy ties remains uneven. The report indicates that a significant share of noncooperating nations retain existing relationships with Russia in the nuclear sector, while many of the states critical of the invasion still maintain those links. This dynamic complicates efforts to sever energy dependencies that influence policy and security decisions across Europe.
In Hungary, the share of electricity and energy output attributable to Russian-operated reactors stands at a high level, while Bulgaria also relies on Russian nuclear capacity, though to a lesser extent. These percentages reflect the proportion of energy in the national balance that comes from the operation of Russian reactors, illustrating how much each country’s energy mix remains tied to Moscow’s nuclear infrastructure.
There have been recent moves to broaden sanctions in response to ongoing events in Ukraine. Authorities in Poland and Ukraine have pressed for stricter measures against the Russian nuclear sector, including considerations to suspend Russia’s membership in key international bodies should attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities persist. This stance signals a broader push within Europe to accelerate decoupling from Russian energy dependence and to bolster alternative supplies and generation capacity for the region.
Analysts emphasize that while the general direction of EU policy remains focused on security and diversification, the practical transition is uneven. The persistence of nuclear energy ties in several member states highlights the challenges of moving away from established energy partnerships, the complexity of the European energy market, and the need for coordinated investment in renewable capacity, grid modernization, and strategic storage. Observers also point to the critical role of policy alignment, financial incentives, and regulatory reforms in accelerating the uptake of cleaner energy sources without compromising reliability or affordability for European households and industries. [Citation: Energy Monitor; Norwegian Institute of International Affairs; policy analysis reports on EU energy security and nuclear dependence]