Is Europe dependent on Russian fossil fuels?
By EconoFact
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YES
The European Union relied on Russia for about a quarter (24.4%) of its total energy needs in 2020. About 41% of natural gas, 36.5% of oil and 19% of coal in the EU were imported from Russia. Dependence on Russian energy imports has increased over time, as the share of Russian gas in EU and U.K. supplies increased from 25% of the region’s total gas demand in 2009 to 32% in 2021. Countries like Germany and Italy have long bought gas from Russia and lack the liquefaction infrastructure to acquire sufficient quantities of liquified natural gas from other sources.
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Sources
International Energy Agency Share of Russia in European Union and United Kingdom gas demand, 2001-2021 – Charts – Data & Statistics
International Energy Agency Gas Market and Russian Supply – Russian supplies to global energy markets – Analysis
European Commission The EU imported 58% of its energy in 2020 - Products Eurostat News
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