By Alexandr Vondra, M.E.P.Newsweek (Mar. 6, 2025)
https://www.newsweek.com/europe-must-cement-its-energy-independence-opinion-2040143Europe must do more to secure its energy independence—and that starts with strengthening our partnership with the United States and ensuring that American liquefied natural gas (LNG) continues to flow into our continent. Washington has the resources, and we have the demand. Aligning our energy policies with the U.S. is the smartest way to guarantee long-term stability for all Europeans, both economically and geopolitically.
The war in Ukraine exposed Europe's deep dependence on Russian gas. We saw how Putin wielded energy as a weapon—cutting off supplies, driving up prices, and creating economic chaos. In response, European nations scrambled to find alternatives, with U.S. LNG emerging as a lifeline.
Yet, Europe continues to send over 20 billion euros a year to Russian energy companies, weakening not only our position against the Kremlin but also undermining our own strategic interests.
The EU cannot afford to finance both sides of this war. European leaders must face the realities of the contradictions in our policies. We cannot claim to support Ukraine while continuing to buy the very resources that fuel Putin's war machine.
Every euro spent on Russian oil and gas strengthens Moscow's hand, making it
harder to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.
A peace deal by U.S. President Donald Trump is welcome, and Europe should support efforts to end the conflict. But peace must not come at the cost of our energy security. We must reject any effort to restore Russian gas flows into Europe, whether through pipelines or shadow trade networks.
The reopening of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, for instance, must remain permanently off the table.However, that doesn't mean closing off our energy infrastructure. The EU must remain a key transit hub for global energy and ensure that American LNG moves efficiently through our markets. The more we import from our ally, the less influence Moscow retains.
Fortunately, with the LNG pause now lifted, the U.S. is moving forward with critical projects that will enhance our energy security. The pending approval of CP2—one of the largest LNG export terminals—will deliver reliable energy to Europe and decrease gas supply from Russia. The best part—American LNG isn't a long-term vision, it's arriving now.
The first U.S. LNG shipment arrived in Germany last year—a significant moment, considering American LNG was once dismissed as unnecessary. Only after the war began was it acknowledged as critical to European energy security. Calcasieu Pass is also set to begin commercial operations in the coming months, adding even more capacity to meet European demand.
These new projects will cement the U.S. as the world's leading LNG supplier, providing Europe with a secure and diversified energy mix....
