Core Points - The European Union (EU) has officially passed a resolution to halt the transportation of Russian natural gas through its territory, marking a significant step in its strategy to reduce dependence on Russian energy sources [2] - The EU's demand for Russian natural gas was substantial, with approximately 40% of its gas supply coming from Russia in 2021, primarily through pipelines [2] - The EU has set a timeline for this transition, stating that from January 1, 2026, no new natural gas import agreements with Russia will be signed [4] Group 1: EU Energy Policy Changes - Existing contracts with Russia will not be terminated immediately; there will be a transitional period to manage supply gaps, with flexibility based on individual country contract terms [4] - Special provisions have been included for landlocked member states like Austria, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, which have historically relied on Russian gas through pipelines [6] - Hungary has expressed strong opposition to the ban, citing its heavy reliance on Russian energy, with over 80% of its gas and 60% of its oil sourced from Russia [6][8] Group 2: Member States' Reactions - Slovakia's Prime Minister criticized the EU's push to eliminate Russian energy as unrealistic, highlighting the potential for a 40% increase in industrial electricity costs if supplies are cut [8] - In contrast, Denmark supports the ban, having achieved a renewable energy share of 65%, and views the ban as essential for achieving energy independence [10][12] Group 3: Russia's Response and Market Dynamics - Russia has responded to the EU's actions by accusing the US and UK of pressuring the EU to limit its energy cooperation with Russia, which they claim undermines EU's energy sovereignty [13][15] - Since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, the EU has reduced its natural gas purchases from Russia by over 70% by 2023 [16] - Russia is redirecting its energy exports towards Asian markets, with India becoming the second-largest buyer of Russian crude oil, increasing its purchases nearly threefold since 2022 [18] Group 4: Challenges for the EU - While Norway and the US have become primary alternative sources for EU natural gas, the cost of US liquefied natural gas (LNG) is significantly higher than Russian pipeline gas [20] - Current LNG receiving capacity in Europe can only meet about 85% of demand, raising concerns about potential shortages during extreme weather or supply disruptions [22] - The EU's goal to reduce reliance on a single energy source is valid, but the execution presents challenges, including balancing costs and ensuring stable supply [22][24]
俄气禁令落地:欧盟内陆国陷困境,俄罗斯能源“东移”提速
Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-10-22 09:22