The Pursuit of Security and Geopolitical Risks After the Russo-Ukrainian War
The Pursuit of Security and Geopolitical Risks After the Russo-Ukrainian War

Summary/Abstract: The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 triggered an unprecedented energy crisis in Europe, fundamentally challenging its long-standing energy security paradigm based on significant dependence on russian fossil fuels. This paper analyzes the profound shifts in European energy policy and the geopolitical landscape in the wake of the war. It examines the immediate impacts of the crisis, including soaring energy prices and supply disruptions, and evaluates the EU's response strategies centered on diversifying energy sources and routes. The paper investigates the increased role of existing suppliers like Norway, the strategic transit potential of countries such as Turkey, and the prospects and challenges of developing new sources like those in the Eastern Mediterranean. it also assesses the critical vulnerability of energy infrastructure, exemplified by the Nord Stream pipeline sabotages. Furthermore, the analysis delves into the accelerated push for renewable energy deployment (solar, wind) under the Repower EU plan, evaluating its feasibility, sufficiency, and associated challenges (intermittency, grid integration, supply chains). Simultaneously, it discusses the pragmatic, albeit controversial, adjustments in policies towards conventional sources like nuclear power and coal, driven by short-term security needs, and their implications for climate targets. The paper argues that while Europe has made significant strides in reducing reliance on Russian energy, achieving a truly resilient, affordable, and sustainable energy future requires navigating complex geopolitical risks, managing the energy trilemma, accelerating the clean energy transition while addressing new dependencies, and strengthening energy demand management. The transition is ongoing, fraught with challenges, but crucial for Europe's long-term strategic autonomy and climate goals.

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