Borrell: US, EU to strengthen Ukraine's energy resilience

“Together with the US and other partners, we oppose the use of energy supply as a weapon and geopolitical lever. The recent EU-US joint statement on energy security already places resilience to future price shocks and safeguards against geopolitical tensions at the centre of the transatlantic energy security agenda. We are committed to ensure the energy security of the EU and our neighbours, including Moldova, Ukraine and the Western Balkans,” EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell wrote in the blog published on the EEAS website.

He noted that the EU and the US could effectively tackle the energy security issues in the short-term, while at the same time moving towards a common strategic goal of developing a net zero economy and cutting dependence on fossil fuels.

According to Borrell, ensuring security of gas supply is the immediate problem in the short term. This means that the European side should work for greater diversification of import routes and sources.

As the EU High Representative noted, the US already is Europe’s largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supplier, and this cooperation is intensifying. Beyond the US, the EU talks with Norway, Qatar, Azerbaijan, Algeria and others to expand LNG supplies and at the same time works to increase the EU's capacity to adopt and use the energy resource efficiently.

Borrell noted that such EU’s cooperation with potential LNG suppliers should not be limited to short-term gas supplies to the European market, but should be aimed at developing more strategic relationships – the transition to cooperation in the production and use of renewables like hydrogen and solar.

“While we seek to address the EU’s own energy and climate goals and enhance our resilience, we must do the same for Ukraine. In terms of energy security, Ukraine today is already better prepared for any conflict. As in the rest of Europe, true energy security can however only come through more investment in domestic renewables and better connections with the EU market,” the EU High Representative stressed.

“Our meeting [EU-US Energy Council] will be an opportunity to seek even tighter coordination on energy market reforms needed in Ukraine to reinforce corporate governance and transparency ahead of Ukraine’s synchronisation to the European electricity network, planned in 2023. We will also work on increased reverse flows within the existing gas transportation infrastructures,” the statement reads

The EU-US Energy Council will be held in Washington on February 7, chaired by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson will also be present.

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