Some EU countries are heavily reliant on Russian gas and oil. Supporting Ukraine and antagonizing Russia could jeopardize these energy supplies, leading to energy crises in parts of Europe, especially during periods of high demand.

Claim

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Types

Claim

Broader claims

Supporting Ukraine is dangerous to some EU countries because they are dependent on Russian gas and oil.

Opposing arguments

The moral and ethical imperative to support a nation facing aggression can be considered more crucial than short-term economic interests. Upholding democratic values and human rights can be seen as taking precedence over concerns about energy supply disruptions.

Reducing reliance on Russian energy not only enhances energy security but also provides the EU with greater economic and political leverage. It diminishes the ability of any single external actor, such as Russia, to use energy as a tool for political influence or coercion.

Quotes that support the claim

"Among European Union countries, Slovakia is the most dependent on Russian oil and petroleum products. In 2020, Russia was the origin country for 78 percent of the country's total imports of such commodities. In Germany, Russian oil products held a 30 percent market share. This has become cause for concern for the EU as it tries to distance itself from Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. An already unfolding energy crisis was worsened as a result."

"We will not supply gas, oil, coal, heating oil - we will not supply anything,"

Given their heavy reliance on Russian supplies before the invasion, euro area energy markets have been especially affected.

"Will there be any political decisions that contradict the contracts? Yes, we just won't fulfil them. We will not supply anything at all if it contradicts our interests,"

Subclaims

Some EU countries heavily rely on Russian gas and oil for their energy supplies.

Endangering Russian energy supplies could lead to energy crises in Europe during periods of high demand.

Supporting Ukraine and antagonizing Russia has the potential to jeopardize these energy supplies.