EU '15 years too late' for energy shock, says Kremlin envoy

Kirill Dmitriev, President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, has stated that the European Union is '15 years too late' in preparing for a long-lasting energy shock. Responding to EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen's warning that the US-Israeli war on Iran could have structural effects on the bloc's energy security, Dmitriev criticized the lack of real solutions.

Dmitriev argued that the EU has failed to diversify its energy flows due to a 'Russophobic, Green, and woke ideology,' leaving it unprepared for prolonged crises. In a post on X, he emphasized that EU proposals, such as limiting price hikes at gas stations or cutting energy use, are inadequate and come too late.

The EU implemented energy reforms from 2009 to 2011 aimed at accelerating the transition to renewable energy and diversifying away from single suppliers like Russia, but Dmitriev contends these efforts have been ineffective. Jorgensen ruled out a return to Russian energy imports, insisting on EU plans to end imports of Russian liquefied natural gas by the end of 2026 and phase out pipeline gas imports by autumn 2027.

The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted energy markets, with crude oil prices rising to around $111 per barrel and EU gas prices spiking 56% since February. Putin has warned that Russia may redirect supplies to emerging markets, accusing the EU of 'misguided policies' that have led to the current crisis.