Exploration World: How Europe Could Meet Its Energy Needs Without Russia

As sanctions continue to amass at Russia’s feet over the country’s involvement in the Ukrainian crisis, several major contenders for the role of Europe’s chief natural gas supplier have emerged.

In February 2014, unidentified troops began taking part in covert operations in Crimea after “revolutionary” movements ousted former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. Though denied at the time, it was later confirmed that these unknown units were Russian forces, leading to the Russian annexation of Crimea and the eventual sanctions aimed at Russia’s key economic players. As hostilities continued in the country— especially after the July 17 attack on Malaysia Airline Flight 17 by suspected Ukrainian separatists—the western political world, spurred on by the U.S., echoed with calls for increased sanctions.

One major problem presented by crippling Russia’s energy sector, which a large portion of these economic sanctions targeted, is that the resource-rich nation provides a substantial share of natural gas imports to Europe.
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