The ongoing conflict has targeted civilian infrastructure, including Ukraine’s power grid, with attacks described as war crimes by European leaders. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, condemned the latest bombings as deliberate acts aimed at crippling civilian life. She spoke to the European Parliament about the broader struggle unfolding across Europe as winter approaches and urged a strong, united response to protect people and maintain energy security.
She emphasized that decisive steps are needed to support Ukraine while shielding Europeans from the economic fallout of Moscow’s actions. The message was clear: unity within the European Union matters as much as any single policy, especially when it comes to energy prices and the pressures families face as bills rise.
Von der Leyen noted that prices have surged, and many European households have felt the squeeze. Still, she pointed to measurable progress: the region has reduced its dependence on Russian gas and shifted supply routes to strengthen energy resilience. The effort came with a price, she acknowledged, as European families and businesses navigated higher costs and stiffer competition in a global energy market.
One area of ongoing debate involves whether to separate the price of gas from the price of electricity.Fears persist that demand could spike further unless measures are carefully calibrated. The so-called Iberian mechanism, she argued, should be examined at the EU level to determine whether it can lower electricity costs in Spain and Portugal while protecting market stability in other member states.
Leaders Summit, next steps
The upcoming leaders summit will focus on three core actions: joint gas purchases to boost bargaining power, ensuring each member state has access to fuel during crises, and implementing temporary measures to curb rising gas prices. The idea of a fixed price cap has faced mixed reception among member states, with some capitals remaining wary about potential market distortions or supply concerns.
Brussels has proposed a temporary price correction mechanism as a bridge to a new reference index, replacing the Dutch TTF as the standard benchmark. This approach aims to slow price volatility and restore confidence while work continues on a longer term solution. A first step would involve guiding principles and a transitional framework, followed by a formal proposal to strengthen the EU’s energy toolkit through RepowerEU.
Officials stressed that any new measures must respect market dynamics and avoid destabilizing the single market. The objective is to provide predictable energy pricing while preserving energy security across all member states. The next phase will see heads of state and government discuss the plan, with a broad consensus on the areas requiring attention to control prices, even as some differences remain among capitals.
In this evolving landscape, solidarity remains central. The EU aims to keep supply lines open, prevent competition from driving up costs unpredictably, and ensure that households and businesses can plan ahead. The path forward combines immediate stabilization tools with longer term investments and structural reforms, all designed to fortify Europe against external pressure while supporting Ukraine in its sovereign fight and rebuilding efforts.