– Buying energy raw materials from Russia is like buying weapons against Ukraine – says MEP PO Mirosław Nykiel. That is why the EC plans to reduce the import of Russian fuels to zero by 2027. Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus estimates that such a decision should be made a long time ago, but better late than never. What's more, Member States should be united in these declarations as much as possible.
The European Commission has decided to close the barrier to Russian energy raw materials on the European market. On May 6, she presented a road map, which aims to completely become independent of import from Russia to the end of 2027. On the list of raw materials that will not enter the EU, there were oil, gas and uranium.
– This is a step in the right direction, it is a complete departure from buying gas and LNG by 2027. It is extremely important to go in this direction. This will play a big role to increase the participation of renewable energy sources, as we assume in repowere by 2030 to 45 percent. In Poland, as we know, there are now over 30 percent. Renewable energy, and yet we still have energy in 60 percent from coal. So these are the assumptions needed, real, because Russia does not want to end the war, so far it has not given a clear signal. Buying energy raw materials from Russia is like buying weapons against Ukraine, perhaps in the future to other EU countries – says Newseria Mirosława Nykiel, a Member of the European Parliament.
According to the European Commission, since May 2022, thanks to the activities taken in this area, the import of Russian gas dropped from 150 billion m3 in 2021 to 52 billion in 2024, with the share of this raw material from Russia decreased from 45 percent. up to 19 percent As part of the sanctions, all imports of Russian coal were banned, and the oil imports fell from 27 percent. At the beginning of 2022 to 3 percent Currently. In the field of nuclear energy, a Member State, which still uses Vver reactors designed by Russia, have made progress in replacing Russian nuclear fuel with fuel from other manufacturers.
The plan for the coming years assumes that further resignation from Russian raw materials is to take place in such a way as to maintain the security of energy supply to the EU while reducing all influence on prices and markets. From this year, global LNG deliveries are to grow rapidly, and the gas demand will fall. It is expected that by 2030 the EU will replace up to 100 billion m³ of natural gas, which corresponds to the reduction of demand by 2027 by 40-50 billion m³. At the same time, by 2028, LNG capacity will increase by about 200 billion m³, which is five times the current import of Russian gas to the EU. Detailed legal solutions for the implementation of the road map will be presented by the EC in June.
– You have to set ambitious goals. When the war broke out in Ukraine, many people did not give the chance that we would not freeze in winter, there will be no filled gas warehouses, and this succeeded – says Mirosława Nykiel. – Before the outbreak of war, the European Union market was the largest raw material market for Russia, so it is known that its economy will lose. And if the economy loses, it will not be able to build against neighboring countries, such as Ukraine. So we will reduce Russia's chances of barbarian attacking other countries.
– The road map should be presented earlier, it should basically be realized long ago. It could be said, it was better to do it late, we had to do it earlier, we were three years old, it's good that it is happening, it's a pity that so late – emphasizes Joanna Scheuring -Wielgus, a Member of the European Parliament from the new left.
The road map is just one of the aspects of strong support for Ukraine and a common EU position in this matter.
– The European Union must be strong and homogeneous in its voice when it comes to help for Ukraine. Financial issues, defensive and military issues or issues of resignation from energy that flows from the Russian side are good directions, but in all this discussion one cannot forget to settle criminals, one cannot forget about all those misfortunes that happen during the war. Here the Union should have a very hard position – says Joanna Scheuring -Wielgus.
On May 9, on Europe's Day, during the Ukrainian-EU Summit in Lviv, its participants supported the establishment of a special tribunal in the European Council for Crime against Ukraine. This institution will have the right to conduct investigations, prosecute and judge Russian political and military leaders who bear the greatest responsibility for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. Now to the Council of Europe it is necessary to establish a framework necessary to establish the Tribunal.
– As Europeans, as Europe, as the European Union, we have nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to our strength, our integrity, but also as the European Union, i.e. 27 member countries, we have helped Ukraine the most so far. The facts testify to our power, only this help must be even greater, and if we are united, we are able to convince the United States, China, India and other countries in the world that if there is no peace in Ukraine, it can be even worse – emphasizes the MEP from the new left. – After choosing Donald Trump, when it turned out that the relationship and help from the United States towards Ukraine is unclear, we must be homogeneous in our decisions. But this homogeneity must consist in the fact that other European countries on military financing must follow an example from Poland, which is a leader here in this topic.
