World Business Report Can Europe survive without Russian gas?
Dec 3, 2025
Alexander Koleander, a Senior researcher at the Center for European Policy Analysis, dives into Europe's long-awaited plan to cut Russian gas imports by 2027. He unpacks why this timeline is crucial as Russia's fossil fuel revenues continue to support its military efforts. Koleander also analyzes how Europe is diversifying away from Russian gas while revealing that Russia may shift its focus towards China and LNG markets. With geopolitical tensions at play, listen to this insightful discussion on energy, politics, and economic strategies.
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EU Commits To Phase Out Russian Gas
- The EU agreed to phase out Russian gas imports by 2027 after long negotiation and internal resistance.
- Alexander Koleander explains Europe replaced much Russian pipeline gas with Norway and LNG supplies, reducing dependency over time.
Member States Slowed The Timeline
- Some EU members like Slovakia and Hungary long resisted because their economies rely on low-priced Russian pipeline gas.
- The EU had to persuade them before reaching a bloc-wide agreement on the phase-out timeline.
Gas Is Political; Oil Fuels The Budget
- Gas is more of a political weapon for Russia than its biggest hydrocarbon income source.
- Alexander Koleander notes oil brings far more revenue for the Russian budget than natural gas.