Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Europe to go further in cutting its dependence on Russian energy, while proposing the Middle East and North Africa as alternative sources of supply.
DPA reported that Mr. Zelensky emphasized the importance of completely removing Russia's influence from the European energy market, especially after the three Baltic countries - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania - officially separated from the Russian electricity system and joined the European grid.
“Moscow will no longer be able to use energy as a weapon against the Baltic states. This is the path that all of Europe must follow – especially the Central European countries that still have contracts with Russia,” Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian President also called for increased cooperation with the US in the fields of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and oil, and expanded relations with neighboring EU countries to ensure stable energy supplies.
The Ukrainian leader suggested that the Caucasus, the Middle East and North Africa could become new sources of energy, helping Europe escape from Russia’s control. “The less Europe depends on Russia, the more secure the entire continent will be,” he stressed.
Ukraine cut off Russian gas transit to Europe earlier this year, increasing pressure on Moscow's oil transport operations.
Kiev is also expanding sanctions to target Russian tanker captains and is calling on the EU to impose similar sanctions on Moscow's energy sector.
Although the EU has taken many steps to reduce its dependence on Russian energy, President Zelensky's call raises the question: Will Europe dare to be more aggressive, completely abandoning supplies from Russia and looking for new partners in regions such as the Middle East or North Africa? This is not only an energy issue but also a strategic decision, affecting the security of the entire continent.
