Ukrainian campaign group Razom We Stand today releases a new report entitled “Europe’s Russian Energy Dependency Scorecard”, scoring the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, and Spain (1-25 points) on their progress in cutting Russian fossil fuel revenues that have topped €200 billion since the 2022 invasion. On issues of sanctions and shadow fleet enforcement, and transition away from Russian fossil fuels as related to the new European plans: EU nations average just 13/25 – every major import reduction was legally mandated, not voluntary, leaving critical loopholes that continue funding Moscow’s war machine.
The scorecard reveals persistent corporate and infrastructural ties keeping Russian LNG flowing into Europe. State-owned companies and long-term contracts with projects like Yamal LNG sustain hundreds of millions in annual payments to Russia, while laundering via regasification terminals and re-exports obscures the Russian origin once gas enters interconnected pipeline grids. UK maritime services have facilitated much of Russia’s post-ban LNG trade, while landlocked Germany remains exposed through neighbouring ports.
Key Failures Across Europe
- Corporate contracts persist: Energy majors like TotalEnergies (France) and state firms like SEFE (Germany) maintain long-term Russian LNG deals despite alternatives and looming EU bans.
- LNG laundering thrives: Regasified Russian gas flows untraceably through EU grids, with hub terminals doubling imports post-transhipment bans.
- Enforcement lags: Shadow fleet interdictions remain rare despite hundreds of designated vessels; maritime services continue supporting Russia’s exports.
Dr Svitlana Romanko, Founder & Executive Director, Razom We Stand, said:
“After over four years of brutal war, with horrific casualties suffered in Ukraine, this research reveals a massive failure by European leaders in efforts to dry up Putin’s war budget. Our scorecard proves Europe’s still helping fill Putin’s war chest via LNG gas laundering and with firms like Total (France), SEFE (Germany), or Seapeak (UK). Clean energy’s ready now – ban maritime services, detain shadow fleet ships, sanction enablers, and pivot fast to cheaper renewable energy that provides energy security, a prosperous future for Europe, and a Ukraine with peace.”
Worst Loopholes by Country:
- Belgium (12/25): Zeebrugge – EU’s #1 Russian LNG gateway – doubled Yamal imports 2024-25; Fluxys’ contracts lock in revenues to the 2030s.
- France (13/25): TotalEnergies’ has a 20% stake in Russia’s Yamal project. Dunkirk/Montoir ports bring gas to Europe, delivering for example to Germany.
- Germany (12/25): State-owned SEFE buys 2.9mtpa Yamal LNG via Belgium/France – hundreds of millions yearly to Novatek despite “independence” claims.
- Spain (13/25): Naturgy’s 2.5mtpa Yamal deal runs to 2038; €1.3bn Russian LNG payments in 2025 despite early crude exit.
- UK (19/25): Ships/insurers under UK maritime services carried 76% of Russian LNG exports post-ban (~£45bn to Q1 2025).
Even as direct pipeline gas ended, Europe’s LNG infrastructure – built for diversification – became Russian gas’s new gateway. Terminals in Zeebrugge, Dunkirk, and Barcelona handle surging Russian Yamal LNG cargoes, while refined products from India and Turkey (often Russian crude) fill oil import gaps. These patterns undermine sanctions credibility and expose Europe to price weaponization.
Clean Energy: The Real Solution
After over four years of Russia’s war – with Ukraine suffering devastating casualties daily – Europe’s obvious path to energy security isn’t patching loopholes or waiting for 2027 phase-outs. Cheaper clean energy delivers immediate independence from petrodictators. This transition weakens Putin’s war funding, secures supply chains from geopolitical blackmail, and positions Europe as energy leader.
Solar/wind/batteries now undercut Russian gas on cost and reliability, and ending Russian fossil imports would slash war funding without blackouts or price spikes. Razom We Stand recommends EU leaders to cut public subsidies for dirty outdated LNG gas, enforce gas origin tracing, exit long-term contracts via force majeure, and triple renewables investment – turning fossil energy vulnerability into clean energy strength and security.Full report Europe’s Russian Energy Dependency Scorecard: https://razomwestand.com/europes-russian-energy-dependency-scorecard/
