Four years after the invasion of Ukraine, Europe is banning Russian gas imports. Diversification has begun, but energy independence remains distant
Four years after the invasion of Ukraine, Europe is ready for the final disconnection from Russian gas. The decision to gradually say goodbye to energy supplies from Moscow is not new: it became clear in the weeks after the night of February 23-24, 2022, and was materialized in the RePowerEU strategic plan.
However, practical implementation proved much more difficult than political statements. For decades, Europe’s energy infrastructure had been built on a strong relationship with Russia, which supplied about 45% of the continent’s methane, and at competitive prices. Moreover, not all EU countries had the same level of energy dependence, nor the same political will for such a painful breakup.
HOW DID ENERGY PRICES INCREASE AFTER 2022?
Fears of war created unprecedented uncertainty in energy markets. The peak was reached in the summer of 2022, when Russia used gas flows as an instrument of geopolitical pressure. On the Amsterdam TTF market, gas prices reached historic levels, exceeding 340 euros per megawatt-hour. This moment marked a strategic turning point for the European Union: the energy infrastructure had to be reviewed and sources of supply had to be urgently diversified.
EU ENERGY DIVERSIFICATION STRATEGY
Europe began to look for alternative suppliers and build new energy routes.
THE ROLE OF NORWAY AND ALGERIA
Norway increased production and transport capacity to the EU, becoming the main supplier of gas through pipelines. To the south, Algeria increased exports, while the TAP pipeline secured flows from Azerbaijan.
LNG AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE GLOBAL MARKET
The biggest turning point came with the expansion of the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG). For years this technology had not been economically competitive, but the energy crisis changed everything.
USA AND QATAR AS MAIN SUPPLIERS
The United States, thanks to massive production through fracking and investments in liquefaction, became the world’s largest exporter of LNG. Qatar also increased supplies, reinforcing European diversification.
REAL FIGURES OF THE DECLINE OF RUSSIAN IMPORTS
Russian gas imports fell from over 150 billion cubic meters in 2021 to less than 52 billion in 2024, just 13% of total supply. In 2025, LNG imports to the EU and the UK reached a record 162 billion cubic meters, mainly from the US and Africa. Russian coal is already banned, while oil imports have fallen below 3%, with the aim of eliminating it completely by 2027. The gas ban will be implemented gradually, starting with short-term contracts and then long-term ones.
Italy is among the most advanced countries in the energy transition. Taking advantage of its long coastline, it has built regasification terminals and today LNG is the main source of gas supply. With the new terminal in Ravenna, the country has five entry points for liquefied gas. Dozens of cargoes have arrived since the beginning of the year, half from the United States. The Italian network transports over 60 billion cubic meters of gas per year and is constantly monitored by the Snam distribution center near Milan, a critical infrastructure that operates without interruption.
IS EUROPE CREATING A NEW ENERGY DEPENDENCY?
A large part of gas demand in Italy and Europe is still linked to electricity generation, due to the disruption of renewable sources. In January 2026, methane demand increased significantly, while storage tanks covered a third of consumption. However, low temperatures and weak production from renewable sources emptied reserves faster than usual. Italy owns a sixth of the EU’s total storage capacity and maintains filling levels above the European average.
THE FUTURE OF EUROPEAN ENERGY SECURITY
A global surge in LNG supply is expected to bring some relief to the market. But economists warn of a new danger: overreliance on a single supplier, this time the United States. Europe is moving away from energy dependence on Russia, but the real challenge is not to replace one dependency with another. (Euronews.al)