By Agnese Coletta
Balancing national sovereignty and multilateral collaboration has long been a weak spot within the European Union (EU), and has resulted in numerous challenges and critiques. When discussing the topic of energy security, this struggle can be seen as the interests of individual member states often clash with the EU's overarching ideas. For instance, the recent geopolitical turmoil –Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022– has been a great challenge for the EU and its member states.
As we enter 2025, Europe finds itself at a critical moment in its energy policy.
The Rise of Nationalism in EU Member States
In recent years, Europe has witnessed a resurgence of nationalist movements, characterised by a prioritisation of national sovereignty over collaboration with member states and EU institutions. Right-wing nationalist parties have gained popularity in various countries, often positioning themselves in opposition to EU directives, campaigning for policies reflecting national priorities.
Among the factors fuelling this rise of nationalism within the EU, energy policy is a central focus, particularly in the context of dependency on external actors like Russia.
Europe and Russia
With its vast and easily accessible reserves of energy sources, particularly natural gas, Russia has had a hold over Europe’s needs. In fact, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia emerged as a primary supplier of energy to many European countries. By the early 21st century –and still up until 2021– over 40% of the EU's imported natural gas originated from Russia. This significant dependency carried both economic benefits –relatively affordable energy– and geopolitical risks, as it heavily contributed to the EU’s vulnerability to external pressures and political leverages. This was shown in the 2006 and 2009 gas disputes between Russia and Ukraine, which led to supply disruptions in Europe, serving as reminders of the implicated risks of this dependency.
What is Happening as of 2025
As of 2025, more precisely January 1st, Russia has ceased gas transit to the EU, as a five-year deal with Ukraine expired. This event has had repercussions on the EU member states, and will most certainly reshape the European energy landscape. This development has forced the EU to accelerate efforts to ensure energy security while also exposing divisions between member states. For instance, some countries with pre-existing renewable energy infrastructures and significant investments in the field –such as Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands– viewed the crisis as an opportunity to double down on the EU’s Green Deal initiatives and shift away from fossil fuels altogether. Meanwhile, nations heavily reliant on natural gas –including Hungary, Slovakia, and Italy– have sought to secure bilateral agreements with alternative suppliers, which has led to them often bypassing EU initiatives.
Such a shift has forced the EU to confront the challenge of not only ensuring energy security but also maintaining solidarity and collaboration dynamics among member states. This impelling situation has exposed tensions between nationalist tendencies and the need for a unified European approach.
Nationalism versus EU Solidarity in Energy Security
The cessation of Russian gas transit has revived ongoing debates on the balance between the national sovereignty of member states and EU solidarity and supremacy.
EU member states have responded to the crisis in different ways, depending on the country’s energy needs, economic pressures, and political climates. Countries such as Hungary have stated their opposition to EU energy policies, arguing that initiatives like the ‘Green Deal’ disproportionately burden their economies compared to other EU members. Furthermore, some governments have portrayed EU directives as overly prescriptive, stating that national governments should retain the right to determine their energy supplies. In contrast, countries like Germany and the Netherlands are rooting for collective actions within Europe, advocating for increased investments in renewable energy and greater interconnectivity between member states.
This concept of "energy nationalism", where countries pursue unilateral policies to secure their energy supplies, often at the expense of EU-wide strategies, has been a significant challenge for multiple institutions and some of the fundamental rules and agreements surrounding the concept of the European Union.
The European Union’s Efforts
The EU is actively trying to address these internal challenges through initiatives such as the REPowerEU plan, which aims to reduce dependency on Russian gas, diversify energy supplies, and accelerate the transition towards renewable energy within the EU. However, widely implementing these measures throughout all member states has proven to be difficult, especially when confronted with nationalist resistance. The tension between national and collective interests has highlighted the limitations of the EU’s current governance structure, raising questions about the future of European integration in the energy sector.
The shift towards renewable energy, supported by the EU’s ‘Green Deal’, offers a potential solution to Europe’s energy security challenges, reducing reliance on external suppliers and focusing on an internal supply of energy within the EU. Nuclear energy has also emerged in discussions about energy independence, with countries such as France supporting the expansion of nuclear energy due to its reliability as an energy source, its efficiency, and its low carbon footprint. However, this remains a contentious topic, with some member states opposing it.
Geopolitical Aspect
Europe’s energy crisis is not only a domestic issue but also a key factor in global geopolitics. As stated previously, for decades, Russia has been Europe’s primary energy supplier, and its influence on the EU and its member states was evident. Reducing this dependency has become critical for the EU, but the transition has also reshaped its relationships with other energy-exporting countries. For instance, Norway has become a critical partner, with its natural gas exports towards the EU reaching unprecedented levels in 2024. Furthermore, the EU has also strengthened its ties with, among others, Algeria and Qatar, to tackle the ongoing crisis.
Conclusion
The drastic shift from Russia’s energy supplies to different suppliers, with an ultimate goal of renewable energy within the EU is certainly challenging. Not only will this require significant investments, but there is also the need for collaboration within member states to achieve progress. This can be rather complicated, as different countries have diverse needs, economic disposals, and political views governing.
Sources: Politico, CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs), Clean Energy Wire, ECFR (European Council on Foreign Relations), Brookings, BBC, Elsevier, The New York Times, Europa.eu, World Nuclear Association.
By Agnese Coletta
Edited by Nina Gush & Sarah Valkenburg
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