EU spent more on Russian energy than on aid to Ukraine in 2024 – report

The European Union has purchased Russian oil and gas worth 21,9 billion euros, according to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea), UNN reports.

Despite a series of sanctions and the threat posed by dependence on Russian energy resources, in the third year of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, EU imports of Russian fossil fuels, in particular, remain largely unchanged, according to the Crea material.

According to estimates by Crea analysts, the said imports amount to 21,9 billion euros, which is 6% less in value terms, but only 1% less in physical terms, the Energy Research Center emphasizes in its conclusion.

Notably, imports of Russian fossil fuels from the EU in the third year of the full-scale invasion exceeded the €18,7 billion in financial assistance that the EU sent to Ukraine in 2024.

Vaibhav Raghunandan, Crea analyst and co-author of the report, noted:

Buying Russian fossil fuels is clearly akin to providing financial assistance to the Kremlin and facilitating its invasion, the expert noted.