From 2022 to June 2025, four European countries — France, Belgium, Spain, and the Netherlands — spent €34.3 billion on purchasing Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG). By comparison, their combined financial aid to Ukraine during the same period was significantly lower, amounting to €21.2 billion.

These figures come from a Greenpeace study. In other words, the money spent on Russian gas has far exceeded the support provided to a country defending itself against Russian aggression.

Yamal LNG: Profits for War

The main supplier of LNG to Europe is Yamal LNG. Between 2022 and 2024, the company generated $40 billion in revenue, of which around $9.5 billion went directly into Russia’s state budget.

Analysts calculated that this sum could finance the production of:

  • 9.5 million artillery shells (152 mm caliber),

  • 271,000 Shahed drones,

  • 2,686 T-90M tanks.

In effect, European money spent on energy resources is directly strengthening the Kremlin’s war machine.

A New Dependency: From Russia to the U.S.

Experts warn that giving up Russian gas could create a new dependency for Europe — this time on the United States.

In just the first six months of 2025, the EU imported 52.7 billion cubic meters of LNG from the U.S. Meanwhile, long-term contracts signed by TotalEnergies, Shell, Naturgy, and SEFE will ensure that Russian gas continues to flow to the European market in the coming years.

Thus, Europe finds itself caught between two poles: the aspiration for energy independence and the reality of contractual obligations.

The Balkan Knot: Bulgaria Shuts the Pipeline

The situation is particularly acute in Southeastern Europe. Bulgaria announced that by the end of 2027 it will completely halt the transit of Russian gas through its territory. This would effectively close the last supply route via the TurkStream pipeline.

As a result, Slovakia and Hungary may lose access to Russian gas altogether, since there are no alternative supply routes for these countries.

Hungary Opposes the Energy Break

Unlike most European states, Hungary has taken a firm stance. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán insists that Russia is a “guarantor of Hungary’s energy security,” and that long-term contracts with Moscow allow the country to purchase gas and oil at favorable prices.

According to Orbán, abandoning Russian resources would trigger a sharp rise in costs and ultimately harm Hungarian consumers.

Conflict with Croatia

Another regional dispute has further complicated the issue. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó accused Croatia of attempting to monopolize oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia.

He stressed that the capacity of the Adriatic pipeline, which runs through Croatia, is insufficient to fully meet the needs of both countries.

How to Resolve the Energy Conflict?

Despite strong rhetoric about energy independence and support for Ukraine, Europe continues to finance the Russian budget through gas purchases. These funds can be used by the Kremlin to strengthen its military potential.

At the same time, abandoning Russian gas creates the risk of a new dependency — this time on the U.S. Meanwhile, internal conflicts within the EU are emerging over supply routes and energy distribution.

Europe has found itself in a situation where every decision in the energy sector carries not only economic, but also direct geopolitical and military implications.