The European Union spent €22 billion on Russian oil and gas in 2024, surpassing the €19 billion provided as financial aid to Ukraine. This discrepancy has raised concerns about Europe’s commitment to supporting Ukraine while still funding Moscow’s energy sector.
Criticism of Energy Dependence
According to The Guardian, experts warn that purchasing Russian fossil fuels indirectly finances the Kremlin’s war efforts. Vaibhav Raghunandan from Crea argues that this practice must stop immediately to ensure both Ukraine’s future and Europe’s energy security.
Economist Christoph Trebesch from IfW Kiel highlights that Germany provided larger and faster aid to Kuwait in 1990-91 than to Ukraine today. He notes that many countries have historically been more generous during past conflicts, raising questions about Europe’s current level of support.
Despite EU leaders emphasizing their €135 billion total assistance to Ukraine, concerns remain about ongoing energy trade with Russia. Experts urge a policy shift to align financial actions with geopolitical commitments.