Analysis

Hungary’s continued dependence on Russian crude oil is not driven by technical, infrastructural, or economic constraints, but by deliberate political and commercial choices that undermine EU sanctions and energy security.

This report examines how Russia continues to monetise cheap domestic gas by converting it into fertilizers and plastics that enter the EU through third-country re-export hubs.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine marked a turning point in Europe’s energy and climate security, exposing deep structural vulnerabilities in the EU’s energy systems.

Bulgaria’s energy sector stands at a critical crossroads, hindered by distorted price regulations, cross-subsidisation, and the lack of a targeted social support system.

Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, Czechia continues to funnel billions to the Kremlin by purchasing Russian crude oil, petroleum products from Slovakia, and ramping up Russian gas imports.

The EU’s reliance on external suppliers of critical raw materials and technologies threatens its economic security and strategic autonomy.

The revision of the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) has been an ideal opportunity to realign the Bulgarian and EU energy and climate security strategies to complete the strategic decoupling from Russian energy dependence, accelerate the just transition process and reduce the country’s widespread energy poverty.