Europe on the Brink of Fracture, Italy Urges EU to Contact Putin for Oil Imports

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The energy crisis is once again striking Europe at the most inopportune time. Just as the region has not fully recovered from the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war, new turmoil in the Middle East is worsening the existing pressures.

The surge in energy prices is the most evident signal of this crisis. Within months, global oil prices have sharply risen by around 70 per cent, triggered by serious disruptions in the strategic shipping route of the Strait of Hormuz.

This narrow strait, connecting the Persian Gulf to global markets, has long been the main artery for world energy distribution. Approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies pass through this route, making it a vulnerable point where even minor disruptions have major impacts.

When tensions escalate and shipping access is disrupted, markets respond swiftly. Energy prices soar, logistics costs rise, and uncertainty spreads to various economic sectors.

However, to understand why this pressure feels so acute in Europe, it is necessary to revisit the energy policies adopted by the European Union in recent years.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the European Union has gradually imposed energy sanctions on Moscow. The objective is clear: to cut off Russia’s primary revenue source used to fund the war, while reducing Europe’s strategic dependence on energy supplies from that country.

This was no small decision. Before the war, Russia was the largest energy supplier to the European Union. Around 40 to 45 per cent of EU gas imports and a quarter of its oil needs came from Russia, making their energy relationship deeply intertwined and mutually dependent.

Yet, within months, this energy architecture was overhauled. The European Union began banning Russian coal imports in 2022, followed by an embargo on crude oil via sea routes at the end of the same year, and restrictions on refined oil products in early 2023.

For the gas sector, the approach was more gradual. The European Union did not impose a total ban immediately but targeted a complete cessation of dependence on Russian pipeline gas by 2027 at the latest, while seeking alternative supplies from other countries.

This policy was then reinforced with an acceleration of the energy transition, including massive investments in renewable energy and diversification of global energy sources.

However, this strategy comes at a high cost. New infrastructure takes time to build, while alternative supplies are often more expensive and not always stable.