John Ainger, an EU energy reporter, sheds light on Europe's challenging journey to phase out Russian gas, which once supplied 45% of the continent's energy needs. He explains how the 2022 invasion accelerated efforts to cut dependence and discusses the economic impacts, including rising energy costs and industrial shutdowns. Ainger also delves into the complexities of EU policy, detailing why an immediate ban is unfeasible due to member-state disagreements. Lastly, he addresses the potential permanence of the ban, contingent on geopolitical stability.
